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?
Give directly has done well. Thanks to the funds, I now own a goat and some chickens. I have not seen anywhere it has done badly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
So far, I have received two transfers from give directly. Using my first transfer, I used KES600 to pay for my children's exam fee and the remaining 600 I used to buy food. Using my second transfer, I bought a goat at KES1800. I then bought two chickens each at KES400, and the remaining KES400 I used to buy food. So, I can say the funds have really boosted the earnings I get from the sale of coconuts. Here I am KES1000 weekly which is what I have been using to support my four children ever since my husband died 5 years ago.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home relaxing and I was having a stressful day because I did know where I'll get money to pay school fees for my kids. When I received the Mpesa message, I couldn't believe it because I least expected it would be send that day. I was so happy that my kids would sit for their exam and I'll was able to put food on the table.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I haven't seen much of a difference because it was my first transfer but I'm hoping to see a lot of changes from my kids not being sent home for fees to buying livestock.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When my husband passed away few years ago, I started a business of selling coconut to support my four children. I usually by the coconuts locally and send them to vendors in the city so that they can sell and send me the profit after depleting the stock. Sometimes it might take two weeks and the journey hasn't been easy because sometimes I survive with loans. My goal was to support my family with the transfers so that I can give my business a chance to grow. When I received my first transfer, my kids had been send home for exams fees and I had nothing to give them since I had just send my stock. I was worried that they will have to skip the exams but the transfers came in handy and helped a lot. I spent KES 600 of the transfers to pay rent and KES to buy food. I'm hopeful that the monthly transfers with help me support my kids therefore use the profit that I earn to expand my business.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a boost in my business and a continuous flow of income to support my family. I sell coconut, but due to lack of money the bussines has not been doing well, as a result of this I have not been able to provide for my children being a widower.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Nothing has brought joy and happiness in the past 6 months because l am still mouning my 16 year old daughter who past on recently.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced in life is lack of money. Lack of money has made it impossible for me to survive with my children, feed them and pay their school fees.
