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 in my own experience has managed to elevate us from a state of extreme and complete poverty to a point where we can even have the idea of thinking of a better future and better plans for the growth of our families. I see hope everywhere I go now in my village unlike before. They have managed to give us hope because we were in complete despair and it seemed like no one was ever going to come to our rescue, especially with the severe drought taking a toll on us. This program was an incredible surprise and I do not know if I will ever be able to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly enough.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the first transfers I went ahead to pay a school debt for three of my children since they had been home for approximately two days because of the pending debts I had in the tuition fee. I paid KES 300 for each one of them and used the remaining KES 300 for buy maize flour and sugar. When it comes to the second transfer my objectives were clear to me and they included buying more iron sheets to finish up with a project my husband and I had started. We happen to be living in a smaller house with one bedroom with our four children so my husband using his job as a palm wine tapper constructed a bigger house and after our pockets ran dry we were yet to be done with the roofing. Therefore after I received the KES 3,000 my husband and I agreed that we finish up on the house and buy the iron sheets of which we did so that we could finally move into our new house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the text message at 9 am. I was heading to the farm to find some cassava that I would cook as breakfast for my family. On the way, I received the text message. Upon checking it I confirmed that I had received the transfer. I quickly turned around went straight to withdraw the money and bought something for breakfast.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a big difference in my life and that of my children. I am happy that they are back in school and continuing with their education. Without the money from the transfer, they would still be staying at home since I do not have any source of getting funds to take them back.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has been difficult for me to pay my children's school fees as well as meet my daily needs. I currently do not have a job and I am just a stay home mum. I would love to get a job or start a business so that I can be able to provide for my family. My husband who depends on manual jobs is also struggling to provide for the family. We have now adopted a new survival mechanism of reducing the number of meals from 3 to 2 meals per day. This sometimes gets worse and we do have 1 meal per day. At the time of receiving my transfer, my 3 children had been sent home from school due to fee balances. I decide to share out KSH 300 with each of them to go pay. I also spent KSH 170 buying some little bread and sugar. The remaining KSH 100 was used in buying soap to wash clothes.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Prolonged drought has made my vegetable business unreliable. Currently, my husband is the sole breadwinner and with an income of less than 500 KES, he cannot sustain a family of 6. It would be a pleasure if I can contribute to our financial status. I, therefore, intend to open a retail shop with these transfers. This will mean financial freedom and reduced struggle in the provision of our basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Over that time I have been happy mostly whenever I get to be with my friends. Their company reduces my stress levels because of their lively jokes. This normally happens at around noon when I am free after finishing my household chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently, my biggest challenge is the unfavorable climatic conditions, which have made it impossible to do farming. I used to grow vegetables for sale but I stopped when the drought started. This meant overdependence on my husband's income from the sales of a local brew. Therefore, he cannot meet all our needs especially food and school fees with an income of 500 KES a day.
