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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Can you imagine I have been sleeping on a mat on the ground for over a decade. I can count the number of times I have had the chance of sleeping in a bed and on most occasions the bed was not mine. Owning a bed was as close to luxury for me. That is why after I received the funds I thought to myself, that it was about time I enjoyed the luxury of owning a bed because sleeping on the ground all those years there was no way of getting used to it and it was never comfortable but then again beggars are hardly choosers. After receiving the funds I managed to buy a bed with the KES 3,000 I had got from GiveDirectly. Although the bed was KES 4,000, I was only lacking KES 1,000 but luckily my kids chipped in for the balance left.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am so glad I took the chance of getting enrolled into this program and being involved with this organisation. It has impacted my life quite positively and in a short period of time. For instance, now I sleep on a bed after not being able to do do for ten years. GiveDirectly is so life changing and it is doing a great deal and giving us hope when we had lost all hope completely.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received the money last year in December around the time the festivities began and in my own opinion the funds were sent at the right moment and time. This is because around the time I barely had any money and there was barely any food in the house so it was about to be a very sad holiday for my family and I. After receiving the money I went ahead and bought wheat flour and maize flour where I used KES 600 respectively for both the items. I planned on making a couple of delicacies for the children which I knew they would definitely enjoy like donuts.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfers have not yet played quite a huge role yet because I only received them once but I have a lot of hope that in the future there is going to be great positive changes for my family and I honestly cannot wait for them to happen. But other than that we managed to enjoy the holiday just like other families did.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy to see that I had received that cash transfer because then it was the holidays, and during that time a lot of festivities happen including a lot of cooking so as to celebrate, and yet I was completely broke, so I knew that the holiday was going to be terrible for my family and I since we had nothing to celebrate and look forward to. So receiving the money definitely arose the Christmas spirit, I was ecstatic.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Considering my charcoal work which is not reliable now due to the scarcity of trees, I am so stressed up about providing food for my family of 4. This means skipping some meals at a time when I miss a buyer for my charcoal. Hence, food insecurity is generally the biggest challenge that I am currently facing in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My work on charcoal burning has never been good due to the scarcity of trees. This means getting food sometimes becomes a problem. Despite this, my daughter-in-law has ever been sharing with me some food that I eat with my 3 children to satisfaction. Hence, this has brought more joy to my life.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better livelihood for my family. I am a widow and I do charcoal jobs to get some income that I use to buy food. This has forced me to stay desperate and sometimes, I regret living this kind of life. I am now a happy person after knowing that GiveDirectly will be sending me 3000 KES every month for five years. This will mean enough food for my family as well as nice shelter and beddings. I will also spend (9000 KES), an accumulation of 3 months transfers to buy 4 goats that will act as my store of wealth for future use.
