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?
What GiveDirectly does well is supporting us poor people accomplish projects that we could not have achieved by ourselves.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Imagine walking for three hours to look for water with a kid at your back only to come back with a 20 litre jerican. That has been my struggle for the longest time and My wish has been to have a water tank so that I can harvest water during raining seasons. This dream has not been achievable because being a casual worker and earning averagely KES 500 weekly, I have not been able to save because I have to sort other family responsibilities. When I was enrolled in the program, my goal was to save toward buying a water tank and pay school fees for my kid. I saved KES 1500 of the recent transfers and spend KES 600 to pay school fees and KES 900 to buy food for my kids. I'm so grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support.
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?
It was a normal boring and sunny day. I was washing clothes outside my house when I heard my phone ring. I did not bother until when I heard my neighbour shouting, "Give Directly have send me the money!" I slowly took my phone and checked. I was overwhelmed with joy to see an Mpesa message of kshs 1200 from Give Directly! It felt like a dream because this was my first time to receive money from Give Directly. You know others had already been receiving the transfers except me. I cannot fully explain how happy I felt. I really thank God for Give Directly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my whole life has changed for the better. I have been upgraded to a higher level. I'm depend on subsistence farming to get basic needs. I'm also a casual labourer. During this drought season there are hardly casual jobs and one can also not practice any kind of farming. Before I received this transfer, I could not afford any money to buy food for my children nor to pay school fees for my two children. My children were always send home for school fees but not any more. Right now our lives have changed. We have enough floor in the house and children can stay in school fully. In fact, I have a plan to start poultry farming and also buy a large water tank for storing water that I can use during drought season. Thank you so much and may God bless Give Directly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend my recent transfer to pay school fees for my children and to buy food. I have five children in total but only two have started going to school. One is in grade 4 and another one in grade 2. I paid school fees worth kshs 200 and kshs 100 for each respectively. My husband helped me to top the remaining kshs 900 to kshs 1,150 which I used to buy one bale of maize floor. I'm so grateful to Give Directly because my two children will not miss exams due to lack of school. We also have enough flour in the house and I really thank God for Give Directly
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In our village, rainfall is scarce. Wells and water pan dry very fast. Like in my place of birth, I have wished to invest in water conservation. I plan to buy water tanks with the transfers. I will be safe if I get two 5000 liters water tanks. I will use the water to irrigate my farms, and as well sell to other people for a living.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I feel very happy whenever I see my children are in good health and are able to face their daily tasks.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial freedom is what has for long challenged me. I am a mother of five. My husband was relieved of his duties during the Corona pandemic. It disheartens me when as a mother, I fail to provide for my children. Recently, two of my children were unwell, upon taking them to the hospital, I was told to buy medicine from a nearby chemist. Due to financial problems, I could not purchase them. I had to seek help from my friends to sort the situation. It does not augur well with me that I cannot fix my problems on my own.
