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?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by providing funds to the less fortunate. Personally,I was able to buy food with this funds which sometimes is a problem to many families in this village.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Drought has affected my area and the biggest impact is food insecurity. I am unemployed and married to a polygamous mantis have been working like a charcoal vendor which pays KES 500 for a bag of charcoal. I have four children and my firstborn son is to join his high school this coming term. I saved my transfer of KES 2300 for preparations of my son’s admission to secondary school and used KES 700 to buy food which would last the family of six members the next 2-3 days.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had anxiously waited for the moment I would receive my first transfer. I could not hide my excitement when my wish was at last granted that morning. I felt like my soul was cleansed and the depression faded away. Considering the misery my family has been taken through by hunger, I sometimes wish that Give Directly would have come earlier. However, the timing is still perfect and I look forward to financial revival through future transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Life was very tough before the transfer. I would wake up feeling broken for having nothing to offer my children for breakfast. Going without food was sadly normal for the family. After I received the money, the case slightly improved. We have never skipped a meal nor starved throughout the night after the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I usually depend on charcoal burning to generate income. However, the money I make, which is around KES 1000 per month, scarcely settles the household bills. The main challenge is food provision, we have suffered from hunger to an extent of starving at least five times a month. When I received the transfer, my priority was securing foodstuffs since the same had depleted the previous night. So I directed KES 570 towards buying maize flour. Additionally, I spent KES 600 to buy two hens. Once the chicken multiply, they will help me source funds for goats and later cattle. Investing in livestock keeping is the surest means of sourcing funds, especially during a financial crisis. Additionally, I can confidently rely on it to produce school fees for my son who is set to commence his high school education next term.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have many responsibilities as a primary head in my family but my child's education tops the list. I have had challenges in supporting him and in most cases, he has been out of school due to lack of fees. This has directly affected his performance and I am so worried at this time since it is his last year in primary school. I intend to agree with his class teacher to allow him to settle in school as I wait for my transfers to clear the arrears. I will also invest my money in livestock, majorly on goats to act as my store of wealth that will support him once he joins the high school. This will guarantee my son a better education and hence a better future for him and my household. Therefore, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In December festivals, I celebrated with my family that came together after 7 months. This brought more joy to my life because we enjoyed some delicious meals such as meat that I had missed for a long time.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being in a polygamous household, I have faced many challenges including food insecurity and lack of school fees for my children. My husband supports me with 3000 KES a month just to sustain us on food. This means I am required to go an extra mile to cheap in and support my children's education. To ensure this happens, I am forced to engage in charcoal vending which earns me utmost 1000 KES in 3 weeks because trees are not in plenty. Thus, financial instability is what I am currently struggling with most.
