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?
Through the funds I receive from GiveDirectly I have regained my independence ever since the passing of my husband because I relied on my children most of the time, because my age will not allow me even to work. Therefore I am grateful of this chance because now I too can provide and cater for my needs and even assist my family as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my first transfers I used a portion of it to get some food and then gave my grandson KES 350 in order to pay for his school fees since he had been kicked out school during that time and his father had no money to send him back so I decided to help. Now when it comes to my recent transfers I used KES 1,000 and gave it to my grandson, who went ahead and bought dried palm tree leaves popularly known as Makuti, so as to finish the roofing of his house because the house was done but he could not afford to finish what was left which was the roof. I was left with about KES 2,000, where I used KES 1,000 and bought eight packets of maize flour because I had no food in my house and then used the remaining KES 1,000 and bought one big duck that I planned to rear.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a widow. I struggle to maintain my welfare. I have a son who supports me. He is a family man. He has seven children. With me also still depending on him, my son has a very huge burden of responsibility. I was very happy when I received the money. It meant self-reliance to me. It was more of a relief to me because I could no longer be dependant on my son.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I used to depend on my son to a greater extent. He used to provide food for me. The story has now changed, I can comfortably buy myself food that can last me a month.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a grandchild who is in secondary school. His parents struggle to pay the school fees. His father works in the motorcycle taxi business. The money he gets only supports the family in buying food. This leaves him with very little to support his son's education. I paid part of the school fees for my grandchild using the money I received.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a very old woman, because of my old age I am not able to work so I depend on my children to take care of me. Depending on them has not been easy because they also have families to take care of. For this reason, I plan to save money and buy 2 cows that will help me to plow my farm and also use them for hire to make money. Receiving this money means being independent.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being alive and able to see another day amidst all these challenges has been my joy and happiness for the past six months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It is not easy to live in a house with holes all over which sometimes leaks in whenever it rains. With my old age, such kind of living condition brings health issues. My challenge has been the state of my house that needs urgent repair.
