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, give directly has done very well. Through cash donations, I have been able to improve my business and pay some of my debt. The funds will also serve as emergency funds in times of need.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am an herbalist by profession. From this, I am able to fend for my family. In a day, I get to make KES1000. When I received my first transfer, I invested KES2000 in my business, the remaining KES1,000, I used to pay school fees for my children. The arrears at the time were 20000. From my earnings, I kept reducing the bill, and by the time I received the second transfer, it was KES9500. Thereby, I used KES1500 from the funds I received to reduce it further to KES8000. The remaining KES1,500, I invested in my business.
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 very happy, because I did not expect the money and my children managed to go back to school since I paid part of their arrears.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There will be a huge difference in my life, I have no job and as a sole provider, this means that I will have to split the money to feed the family, pay school fees and support my growing grocery business.
All this would not have been possible if it wasn't for Give Directly Transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received ksh 3000 from Give Directly and I decided to expand my small grocery stall with ksh 2000 and used ksh 1000 to pay for school fees.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My wish has always been to start a livestock business. Currently, I have 12 goats and 6 cows, I prefer keeping goats than cows because they can do better and survive during drought than cows. My agenda now is to save and buy 8 goats, which means I will have to save for around 4 months to achieve my goal and save for another 6 months then embark on another project of reviving my business of selling clothes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Amidst all the challenges I face to provide for my family I thank God that for the past six months, I have been able to provide for them smoothly even if it is a meal a day it still made a big difference for me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Drought has brought many challenges to my family. Being the breadwinner with 9 children to take care of is not an easy task. I have 4 children who finished high school a few years back but unfortunately, I have not been able to take them to college. I am afraid I might not be able to take all of them to college, the thought of that gives me sleepless nights most of the time because my dream has always been to see all my children through college and get good jobs.
