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?
Give directly has done well. This is because, through the funds, I believe my life has changed for the better. I now have plans to progress myself, for instance, I want to start shopkeeping. This will help me generate more income. I have not seen any area where the organization has done badly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
So far, I have received two transfers from give directly. The first one came in when my 3 children had school fee arrears of KES1000. So, I cleared it and I remained with KES200 that I used to purchase food. When the second transfer came in, at the time, I did not have any debt, all had been settled using the earnings I get as a charcoal manufacturer. Where I earn KES12000 monthly. I saw it best to use it to buy 5 chickens each selling at KES200 and a goat at KES2000.
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 was busy carrying trees, getting ready to manufacture the charcoal when the message came in. I felt thrilled. My children had been home for 2 days due to school fee arrears. Since it was during the morning hours, I dropped all that I was doing, asked my children to prepare themselves for school and we left for school. I cleared the arrears and they were allowed back to class. On my way back home, I bought some food for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have noted such a great difference in my life ever since I started receiving the funds. My earnings have been boosted and I am now debt-free. So, I can now comfortably provide for my family. Currently, I have plans to buy some cows and goats which I know will grow in number then later in the future, I will start a shopkeeping business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a charcoal burner; my salary depends on the sale I make. I manufacture the charcoal weekly and from it, I get two sacks each selling at KES400. If it's a bigger sack, it goes for KES500. The weeks when I do not make a sale, my family is forced to go to bed on an empty stomach. As for my 3 children in school, it has been a challenge to be timely on their fee payment. So, when I received the KES1200, I had arrears that totaled KES1000. Therefore, I cleared it and used the remaining amount to buy food.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means I will renovate my house and later start a business. I'm yet to build a stable roof for my house. I just laid 18 iron sheets on top of my house. This is dangerous because with the strong winds witnessed in the village during the afternoon hours, the roof can be wiped out anytime. Renovating my house will cost 15,000KES. I will later use 40,000KES to start a kiosk in the village. The customer base in the village is good because the nearest shop from my compound is approximately 2 kilometers away. I will sell maize flour, wheat flour, cooking oil, sugar, salt given that these are the most consumed commodities in the village. The shop will be my reliable source of income and the profits will help me sustain my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being among those enrolled to the GiveDirectly project in my village has brought joy in my life. I never thought I would one day benefit. I only thought the money would be depleted by the time the officers get to our village. Now that I will benefit from this program, I really appreciate and I look forward to a brighter future.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship and challenge I'm facing is hunger because I rely on buying maize flour from the shops around to feed my family. However, due to the current harsh economic conditions, I am unable to provide food for my family on a regular basis and at times we go without food for an entire day. This is very unfortunate especially for my young children who always cry in case there is nothing to eat.
