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, Give Directly does well by giving people money and letting them decide on how to spend it. This has empowered people financially and a majority are able to meet their various needs. On the other hand, there is no area that they are not doing well at.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I did not have any source of income but I had skills in hair care. The moment when I received the first transfer I spent it on setting up a salon. I only rented a house and bought a few pieces of equipment for it. I, therefore, spent KES 1500 of the second transfer to add a few of the beauty products. My plan is to expand the business so that I will not only be providing services but will also sell the products that my customers will need for their hair care. Part of the money (KES 1000) I paid in school for my primary school-going children in order to reduce the amount they owed the school. A portion of the money I spent on foodstuff for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received this transfers I felt very happy because I saw myself being financially free in the near future. It has always been my dreams to start my own salon business but raising the capital has not been easy so I made a decision to be splitting this transfers every month to make that dream a reality.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life now is that I am now happy since I know I will be able to start my business very soon unlike before there was no where to get capital at all.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent Part of my transfers to buy saloon materials worth 2000 Ksh since I have always wanted to start a salon business and has never been able to save a lump sum amount for it. I also used the rest to buy food worth 500 Ksh and Paid school fees for my children with 500 Ksh.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I work as a seasonal beautician at my friend's salon where I am paid on a commission basis mostly $2 per day. Since I do this part-time, I have desired to start a salon that I can depend on but due to lack of capital, this has never come through. With the help from GiveDirectly, I am so optimistic that I will be able to realize my dream. I plan to save my 4 monthly transfers to use them as the initial capital for my business. This will guarantee me a reliable source of income that can support my family's basic needs like food and clothing. On the other hand, this grant will also support my children's education and hence a better future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being healthy with my family is something that I can not take for granted. I have been enjoying good health despite the hardship of food insecurity plus the lack of clean water that we are currently experiencing in our area. Therefore, this is what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine depending on my husband who is doing casual jobs of construction! I have gone through hardship in terms of meeting our basic needs like food. Sometimes, I feel so painful and desperate to see my children sleeping without food. I can, therefore, consider food insecurity as the biggest challenge that I am currently facing.
