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?
GiveDirectly has played a major impact in the livelihoods of lots of people as they enhance the better living conditions by their giving nature, which we are very grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having been in the charcoal business for a while, and delivering the goods via my motorcycle, GiveDirectly played a major role in transferring KES 3000 which I opted to save towards the charcoal business.
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?
The moment I received my transfer I kind of got confused . I have never received any type of help and this made me feel very lucky. I had thought at first it was a scam and since nothing was required I had decided to enrol myself so when the transfers arrived I was a bit tongue tied though I was very tired.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life now since I started receiving this transfers is that my family now enjoys enough supply of food and I am not stressed anymore. I am also able to indulge my family with things like clothes something that we couldn't afford before since what I earned was not even enough for food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my 1st transfers to pay my Fuliza debt worth 400 Ksh and the rest used it to buy flour since this assured my family of constant meal until I am able to get money for a change of diet.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is a game-changer. I sell charcoal for a living, and I usually buy them on credit and pay it up after I have made sales. There are days I get orders from clients but I lack enough money to buy the goods. The challenge is that not so many people are willing to sell on credit, it is a risk that they are not ready to incur.
The fact that I will now be able to buy the product without much hustle from any vendor is a relief. A bag of charcoal is about 400 KES but on credit, I buy at 450 KES. I sell a bag at 700 KES and per trip I carry seven bags.
The extra 350 KES I have been incurring will cater to other needs like maintenance for my motorcycle. This will be a boost to my business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I started the year not so well, having had an accident and having to sell most of my belongings to cater to my medical bills. I was bedridden for the better half of the year but I am grateful that in August I was able to go back to work and now I can provide for my family. The first day I reported back to work was full of emotions, fear combined with joy but I am glad I overcame the fear.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In 2020, December I was involved in a road accident in Makupa, Mombasa. I was behind time with my delivery and I was riding my motorcycle cycle at a high speed. I lost control and bumped into a tuk-tuk. The next thing I remember is that my leg was in pain and I was quickly rushed to the hospital, both my legs had serious bruises but were attended to. A couple of months later my left leg became sore and I went to the hospital, only to be told that they had to perform minor surgery to stop the infection which was a result of a lack of proper treatment from the accident I had. I did not have the money to pay for the surgery and so I went back home and sold what I had. I had some chicken and 3 cows, I sold all of them and topped up the rest. It has taken me five months to recover. It has now been three months since, but I still have scars to show and a lot to recover.
