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?
Heading towards a potential farming season, I invested Part of the money I earned in starting a new business of selling Jembes. The business is usually at a peak from February all the way to April. The Urge to start and owning a business and earning some income was the driving factor for me to start this business. My husband is old and does not have a job and that leaves me as the sole breadwinner of the family. I plan on using the extra earnings from the business to buy some pieces of iron sheets and improve the status of my house as the roof is currently leaking. In addition, I spent KSH 800 to buy 6 packets of maize flour for food. I had earned no amount of money in the past three days from my charcoal business. Buying the food will prevent me and my family from starving. I bought some soap with the remaining KSH 200 so that my school children will wash their uniforms and other clothes
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done extremely well in giving out unconditional cash. This has helped open minds of people within our village and currently everybody is creatively coming up with ideas that will uplift their lives by starting businesses and other income-generating projects.
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?
Since half of the transfers was used on the phone that I was given, I used ksh800 to buy two second hand iron sheets, to finish off my kitchen.
I used the rest of the money to buy food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I would have never thought of finishing my house this soon.
This has just been a dream come true.
After finishing my house I will be able to start a small business to help my husband to provide for our family since this has been a huge challenge for him.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am still overwhelmed with so much excitement from the time I got informed that I will be receiving transfers from Give Directly in the next five years.
The first transfer was an assurance that this is indeed true and am very grateful.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I used to grow cassava for both domestic consumption and for sale. With the prolonged drought, most have dried up and the remaining ones are not enough for my family. Getting enough food for my family is the biggest challenge that I'm going through and I hope these transfers will be of great help to us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In May this year, I was blessed with the sixth grandchild and this has brought so much joy to me and my family.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Last month my house roof was carried away by strong winds and I live in fear of being rained on. It is the same house that I cook in and given that it is grass thatched, I fear someday it will catch fire and I will lose everything. Receiving this money means that I will build a better house for I am planning to buy buildings materials in bits and once they are enough, I will also have saved enough to pay a mason.
