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 extremely well by supporting people in my village financially has really uplifted our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I recently gave birth but unfortunately, my child fell ill and succumbed to the sickness. I was left with 5children to fend for. So, I work at other people's farms where in a week, I would be contracted twice and my weekly wage is ksh1000. This helps out with some of the bills but it is not enough. Therefore, the first time I received the funds, I used ksh1000 to pay for the children's school fee arrears of ksh6000 and ksh200 on food. As for my second transfer, I used it to buy 2goats and the remaining ksh1000, I paid for my children's school fee arrears.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so relieved because my children were almost being sent back home due to the debts that I had not yet managed so finish up on and the thought of my kids staying home without school scared me a bit because at the time I was still financially incapable.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My children were able to avoid being sent back home and this enabled me to concentrate on other things like their nutrition because I am a stay home mother, meanwhile my husband works in restaurant out of town in order to earn a living so that he could take care of us back in the village.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the money I went ahead and bought six bags of maize flour which was approximately worth KES 600 because my house was actually about to run out of food and I also chose to pay school fees for four of my children and so I split the KES 600 between them so as to reduce the debt that had been accumulating.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a mother of five. My husband was working as a chef in one of the hotels in Mombasa. However, due to Covid-19, he was relieved of his duties. Ever since life has never been the same. Putting food on the table has been a real challenge. GiveDirectly transfers will help me easily buy food to run me a whole month.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy when I mingle with friends. It gives me hope that despite the challenges I go through, all is not lost.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Decent house has been the major challenge. My house was once brought down by a whirlwind. Thereafter, due to the responsibilities of providing for my children with basic needs, I have been overwhelmed with issues about building a house. I am rained on, and at night, it is very cold; uncomfortable to sleep with my young children.
