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 has played quite a huge role in our day go day life especially through the transfers which help us improve our living conditions and at the same time eradicating poverty. Before knowing this organisation making ends meet was quite a task. Now I even have funds to renovate my house which makes me extremely happy. I could not find better words to describe the help and change we have experienced from the program, we cannot dare to complain.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I got enrolled to this program, I thought to myself that this would be quite a great opportunity to help Mr finally renovate my house especially the roof. Some years back l managed to change a part of the roof and instilled iron sheets but I ran out of money and left most part of the roofing grass thatched. The only problem with the grass thatched roof is that it always needed repair since they were not permanent at times it would leak when the rain was too heavy. That is why when I received the recent transfers I went ahead and bought a pair of iron sheets which cost me KES 1,900. I then used KES 200 as transportation fee for them to be delivered back home. I remained with a balance of KES 700 and catered for nourishment where I bought half a dozen packets of maize flour for KES 600 and used what was left to purchase sardines.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was cooking porridge in the morning for my grandchildren. My phone vibrated, and it quickly checked it out and found out that I had received a text message. Since I cannot read, I asked my helper who is my grandchild to read the text message. He informed me I had received my first transfer. I was thrilled, stood up and started dancing and ululating in happiness. For me, this was like a miracle, as I had been praying to God to provide a way to get money and pay the debt in school. I then sent my helper, who withdrew the money on my behalf.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a big difference in our lives, more so for my grandchildren. They are currently in school and continuing with their education. The shame of being unable to pay their school fee is now out of the way and my grandchildren are no longer the laughingstock of the village. I am grateful that they have a second chance to continue with their studies with no problem.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I live together with my two grandchildren. The father to my grand children works in town in construction sites as a mason.. The jobs are not daily and this has made it really difficult for him to pay school fees for his children. In school, the children are owed KSH 1500. They were sent home and spent close to three weeks at home. The situation got worse when the school wrote a letter to the chief to inform him about the absence of the children from school and the debt they owed to the school. After having some serious talks with the area chief, we all agreed that the children resumed school as my son finds means of paying the debt. Luckily, it was during the same week that I received my first transfer. I spent KSH 1000 to pay off part of the debt for my grandchildren so that they would continue with their education and also try to catch up because of the time they had lost while staying at home. I am happy that they are still in school and are about to sit for their end of term papers. I spent the remaining amount of KSH 200 to buy one packet of maize flour @ KSH 120 and ½ kg of sugar at KSH 75. I bought this to add to the stock of food in the house so that, together with the children; we do not starve.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Four years have past living in a single-room make shift house.Without a door and windows, both sun and rain weather conditions have been a threat to our ever ill health. We have no one to rely on and my husband who is old and sickly cannot afford to construct a better house.Whereas husband's transfers will be channeled to other basic needs, my transfers will enable us construct an iron-roofed two bed house that will accommodate us and our two grandchildren.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been relying on farm activities for food. The prolonged drought has made life hard. About three months ago, I approached a neighbour who works in town to look for a job for my returnee daughter. Luckily, she got a job and she has been supportive to us. On reflection, this is my only source of happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After many years of living in a leased land, we finally got a our 4acres piece of land,about four years ago. We had four cattle which we sold to pay for the land.Ever since we migrated into our current home,Life has not been ease.Without cash, we have not been able to construct a house. We have, for several days, gone without food. To make matters worse, the only son we have got mental illness.He is currently in another village where we took him for spiritual intervention since we do not have money to seek medical services.
