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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After our main house collapsed, my family and I have been spending our nights out in the cold. So upon receipt of the Give Directly transfer, I prioritized KES 800 on obtaining 10 wooden poles to have one side of the house erected for temporary shelter. Additionally, two children had been sent out of school to collect pending fees and I handed them KES 500. Moreover, another child had been ailing from vomiting and diarrhea, thus, I committed KES 800 to his medical expenses. The remaining amount went towards purchasing food and cleaning detergents.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my honest opinion, Give Directly assists us to solve our financial problems and entirely reduce the impact of poverty. The transfers help satisfy most of our basic needs such as food, education, and shelter. I am no longer worried about my children being out of class or going for a week without food. I cannot pin down anything wrong done by Give Directly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My thatched clay house was crumbling down, and I decided to use most of the transfers to have it fixed. I used ksh1000 from the 1200 that I received and used the rest to buy food.
Although I did not finish the repairs, we can now sleep without being affected by the harsh whether conditions.
I will finish up the repairs hopefully with the second transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There will be a huge difference in my life because first and foremost,we will be able to atleast sleep and live in a safe house when I finally have it fully repaired.
I will also be able to buy livestock to look after and generate income for the family and probably also start a small fish business.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was extremely happy when I received the transfers because I was really stressed out by my house that was in a bad condition.
Having a condusive home for my family is my priority and I was able to better it through my first transfer.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge I am encountering currently is hosting my family under a pathetic house with cracks allover. This is life threatening given the house might fall down any day given the strong winds currently experienced in my area. Some days especially at night, the winds get stronger such that we are forced to borrow sleeping space from neighbours.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Neighbours have been visiting my compound during the day because I have a traditional pot that most neighbours do not have. They always come to borrow mine but before they leave for their homes, we share some light moments and this has brought joy in my life.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Possessing a better house has been a dream for me. I live under a leaking roof plus the house has got multiple cracks on the walls. Retiring to bed after a long day work is the desire of every human being. However, this is not the case for me as I am always full of worries whenever I leave for bed at night. I always think about the safety of my children whenever I sleep under this miserable structure. Moreover, the strong winds currently experienced during the day might wipe out my roof. I am planning to use 100,000KES from the GiveDirectly transfers to construct a two bedroom permanent house for my family of seven. I will later use 20,000KES to buy a bed and a mattress. I have never slept on a mattress since I was born. A nice bed and a mattress will assure me nice sleep after a long day burning charcoal in the forest.
