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?
Through this project by give directly, I believe my life will be improved. I will also have a business of my own if my plan of starting a bakery succeeds. From this, I will be financially stable and thereby start a family of my own. Everything give directly has done, was well done.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I dropped out of the catering School because I did not have the funds to continue my studies. To meet my needs, I started working as a tout. When I got my first transfer, I used KES1000 to do some farming. Unfortunately, the weather was not favorable. I hoped I would yield 5 sucks of maize grains from half an acre of land but instead, the whole plantation was destroyed. Using the remaining KES200, since it was the Christmas festive season, I bought my siblings some shoes and clothes. When I got my second transfer, I saved KES2100 to a Chama as I have plans to borrow a loan of KES100,000 in July to start up a bakery shop since I have catering skills. The remaining KES900 I have not used yet but I am thinking of using it to buy chicken.
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?
All along I have been doing manual jobs that aren't as frequent always, but for this day, it was so different as I received an MPESA text from Segovia Technologies of funds received. I was at a casual job holding forte for an employer at his shop. I couldn't hold my joy as I from that time I knew that I would save the funds and actualize my dream and goals.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
GiveDirectly has been a major boost as I have been able to start saving the funds giving me an opportunity to join our local chama which with the savings I opt to start a personal business and in future build a better house for shelter.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Food being a basic need, I decided to spend some of the amount on it after receiving KES 1200. I split it into three by spending KES 500 on buying seedlings, KES 500 more on labour for cultivation and a further KES 200 for the vet services as a goat I own was unwell.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was able to build my own house but got stuck along the way. I am a casual worker, no stable income but with a lot of determination. I plan to cement my floor, put up a proper door, and furnish it.
I sleep on a sack every day, it is not comfortable and I am exposed to dust every day which makes me vulnerable to infections, just a mattress will change my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am grateful for every day, nothing much happened in the past months. The day I had GiveDirectly was in a neighborhood changed everything. I am now looking forward to happier days ahead.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a lot of difficulties when it comes to hearing. It is a condition I was born with and over the years it has worsened. It has reached a point where it oozes pus every day. This gets worse especially when I am stressed or when I catch a cold. I have sought treatment meant but still no change.
