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?
There are so many things that I have been unable to do before I started receiving the funds. Particularly, building a stone house for my family. Food was also hard to get. Now I can feed, school, and shelter my family. I cannot see anything bad that give directly has done, but it could even stand out if the recipients were educated on how best they could invest these transfers
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to practice cash crop farming and I specialized in vegetables. But when the droughts struck, I stopped and started depending on my husband's pension. He is a retired teacher. We have 3 children, the eldest one is in the university, the second born is in college and the lastborn is in form 3. Since we have been struggling with the school fee payment for the children, when I received my first transfer, I used it all to pay school fees. With my second transfer, I bought some food for the Christmas holiday which amounted to ksh2000 and I gave my son, who is in form three,sh1000 for his transport back to school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On that particular day, I had woken up early to do my daily chores. I had just started washing clothes for my family when my phone beeped with a message. I took my phone and was pleasantly surprised that I had received the money. At that time my child had been sent home due to school fees and was with me. I left quickly heading to the M-Pesa agent to withdraw the money so I could send my child to school. I was very happy and relieved.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that we will not be living from hand to mouth. We will be able to afford to buy food every month due to the stable income. I will also be able to send my children to school daily without the threat of being sent home because of school fees as I can now be able to pay little by little without affecting their studies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This money has been a blessing à it came in when I least expected it. My child had just been sent home due to the school fees balance and I was wondering where I would borrow that money. I took KES.1000 and sent him back to school as he is in high school and was about to miss remedial classes. The rest of the no wy was KES.200 I spent it on food. I am thankful to Give directly for this opportunity.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It will be a great relief for me. I currently do not have a source of income, it has been a struggle getting money for food and other basic needs. The little I get I pay school fees for my three children. My youngest son is in high school and my two daughters are in college.
I will be able to buy food with ease and still support my children through school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a cheerful person and I like appreciating anything I get. I am happy when I manage to get food on my table. Despite the draught and not getting an income I still have been able to get food to eat.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My left leg is swollen and the pain is unbearable. Walking at times is a challenge because of its heaviness. I am yet to seek a cure for it.
I like taking walks just to relax but now I am forced to move less.
