We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has a good vision. It will help me elavate my life through the transfers and I am grateful. I always wanted to save and improve my life and GiveDirectly made this possible. I do not have any suggestions on something you do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the first transfer, I saved KES 2000 with the Rotating Savings and Credit Association. At that time, one of my children was ill. I thus used, KES 1000 for medical expenses. 500 for transport to the health facility and 500 for medical care.
For the second transfer, I used KES 500 for food and saved KES 2500 with the Rotating Savings and Credit Association as I had planned.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was happy to have received the transfer. My child had been sick for two day when I received the transfer. I was able to take him to hospital and he's now feeling better. The transfer really helped me and I am grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been able to put the transfer into my Rotating Savings and Credit Associations account and I plan to do the same in the upcoming months so that I can be in a position to take loans and use the loans to build my business. It also helped me get medical care for my then ailing son. Were it not for the transfer, I do not know where I'd have gotten money to take him to hospital.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My plan was to grow my business as I own a shop when I knew I'll be receiving the transfer. As much as my child was sick and I used KES 1000 for their treatment, I made sure the rest went into my Rotating Savings and Credit Associations account. My plan is to keep saving till I can take loans to grow my business.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I work as a businessman where I operate a general shop. I have experienced a lot of challenges in terms of adding stock because there are many responsibilities at home like supporting my siblings' education. This has drained my capital and my profits have been low. Receiving this money means a big boost to my business because I will be saving my transfers and buying shares in a Sacco that will allow me to get huge loans. This will guarantee me a better livelihood since the profits from my business will cater to my basic needs without struggling.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My family and I have for the last 6 months been enjoying good health. No one has ever complained of sickness that could drain me financially. This makes me feel so happy and hence, I consider this as the source of joy in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our area has experienced a long drought that has affected people's income. This has directly affected my business because people have been taking goods on bills something that has lowered my potential to grow. With the little profits, it is so hard to fully cater to my family's basic needs. Hence, I consider financial instability as the main challenge that I am currently facing.
