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?
Peoples living standards have greatly improved as they are now able to plan themselves accordingly with the unconditional transfers received. Projects are being completed and lives are being bettered all thanks to GiveDirectly. More to that, we hope that the transfers can be increased if possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The lack of adequate funds to sustain a family is a major setback and being the sole breadwinner, I have witnessed this first hand. I was married to one wife who sadly passed on and left me with three children to tend to, which I do with the help of my mum as I moved back home to assist my siblings too since dad also passed on. The KES 3000 has been a major relief as I have been able to buy food worth KES 1400, to last us for one week as what was there previously was finished. The remaining KES 1600, I paid for the circumcision of two of my children, as they are at the stage where they are crossing over to adulthood.
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?
On this day I was very stressed out thinking about where I will get money to buy food for my family (my 3 children and mother). I already had a debt from the shop I normally buy food from and I was afraid to add another. Seeing my children, who only had porridge for breakfast, complaining that they were hungry, I had no otherwise. I decided to go and ask if I could be given food on credit, before I even reached the store, I got a message confirming that I have received some funds from give directly. With so much enthusiasm, I settled the debt I had with the shopkeeper (my uncle) then I bought more food supplies using the remaining balance.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I lost my wife 7 years ago. She left me a two-and-a-half-month-old baby and two other children to take care of. I was forced to resign from my casual job in the city and I relocated to the village to take up the responsibility of becoming both a father and mother. I practice farming so I could meet our needs. When the droughts came, they destroyed my business and I lucked means to provide for my family. Now that I'm receiving these funds from give directly, I believe there has been a great difference in my life. I have been able to clear my debts and feed them. Soon, I plan to start a business to help improve my finances.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It's been a month since I ran out of sustenance in my house. There, I live with my three children. The responsibility of taking care of them has left to me after the demise of my wife seven years ago. Then my last-born was only two and a half months old. I was forced to move back home to fully take care of them. I couldn't turn to my mother as she is vulnerable and dependent on me too. To fend for them, I practice mixed farming. Of late, this has been hard due to the droughts we are experiencing in my area. Meal provision was a challenge and thereby I was forced to purchase food on credit at my uncle's shop. So, to be on good terms with him, I used the money to clear the debt and buy more nourishments.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My wife died 6 years ago and this has made me assume all the household chores including; fetching water, cooking, and collecting firewood. This has lowered my self-esteem and I have always felt ashamed. I have desired to marry another one who can take care of my 3 young children as I hustle outside the village but it has never been possible. This has forced me to stay at home to look after them. To break this status quo, I only need 50000 KES to get a wife. This means saving my transfers in a Sacco to allow me to get a loan after 1 year. The remaining transfers will help me to support my children's education. Therefore, receiving this money means a stable family as well as restoring my self-esteem.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In October 2021, I heard about the arrival of GiveDirectly to our sub-location. This was the first time my hope for a better future got awakened. I knew that my desire to restore my dignity will come to reality once I get enrolled in this program. Hence, I consider this as what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a man in our Giriama culture, one is not expected to engage in female-dominated chores like fetching water, collecting firewood as well as cooking. To me, this has been obvious since my wife died 6 years ago and I have failed to marry another one due to lack of dowry. I have turned into a laughing stock and this has directly affected my self-esteem because I always feel ashamed in presence of my fellow men. Hence, this is generally the main challenge that I am currently facing.
