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?
I spent most of the transfers received within the last two months to procure food, pay school fees, and save through a self-help group. I utilized KES 2200 to buy food and KES 1000 to support the education of my five children. Also, I saved KES 2000 in a women's savings group through which I can easily access funds or a loan when in a financial dilemma. I used the rest of the money, around KES 800 to buy new clothes.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With seven kids under my care currently, it has been very hard to fully meet their needs in terms of food and school. I currently do not have a job and depend on my husband to provide for my family. My husband does not have a permanent job and depends mostly on short contract jobs. What he gets is utilized mostly on food and school and none is left to improve our lives by engaging in life-changing projects. When I received the first transfer I spent it on paying a school debt of KSH 500 and used the rest of the remaining amount of KSH 700 in buying food for my family. I spent the second transfer in buying a water storage tank. I spent KSH 1400 to buy the tank. The main reason I bought the tank was to help in storing water. Due to the drought situation that we were experiencing it was a real hustle to find water and the tank was a savior for me. In addition to buying the tank, I also bought food at KSH 600 and also paid some KSH 1000 in school as school fees. My kids had been sent home due to school fee balances and the money helped me in terms of that. With my third transfer, I spent KSH 2000 buying food and other things such as clothes for the festive season. I am grateful that the money was a great help to my family and we celebrated well during the festive season. I saved the remaining KSH 1000 in a Chama. I am looking forward to asking for a loan so that I can be able to use the money to start a new project of building my house well.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of helping the needy in society. I am very happy that the money is going to uplift my life and has opened for me opportunities to think big and invest the money in projects that will enrich our lives and get us out in the current situation of poverty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to the drought persisting in recent years. Finding water has been very hard for me and my family. When I received the transfer I decided to buy a water tank. This water tank is 150 liters and it will help me store water in large quantities. Once I have done that I will be able to rest from the daily routine of going in search of water. I then spent KSH 1000 of the transfer in buying a bag of maize flour for my family. The rest of the money was used in paying school fees arrears for my children who are still in primary school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The day when I received this money I was doing chores at home. I felt extremely happy when I got the message that I had received money from Give directly. This will change my life for the better and I am very grateful to this program.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now have a sense of security that I can save money and when I get an emergency I have funds to use to cater to it. I no longer need stress about where to get no ey as I have a source of income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving this money has led to making my dream come to fruition. I plan on saving this money so that I can be able to build a home. I plan to take a loan and build myself a home and once done I can be paying it back with the monthly transfers. I was able to send KES.1000 on the Chama I am in and the other KES.200 I spent it on food.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Drought ravaged in 2016, a condition that led to the death of my 5 cows due to lack of water and pasture. Since then, I have never made a comeback in owning livestock. I plan to use the transfers to buy goats which in due time, I will exchange for cattle.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I feel very happy whenever I make it to bring food on the table for my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a family of 8 children, 5 of who are still in primary school. My husband works as a security guard in town earning 7000KES per month. The earning is not sustainable for my family, due to the high cost of living. I am obliged to venture into selling charcoal in the local town center just to off-shoulder my husband the burden of survival. The challenge of providing for my children is overwhelming and it does not give me peace.
