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?
Few days after receiving the money I fell ill. I had severe chest pains which made me weak and I visited the hospital to get medical attention. I spent KSH 600 in buying medicine and paying for the medical bill in the hospital. Because of the current drought conditions, I no longer work on my farm and I have to buy all the food from the shops and at very high prices. Finding water is very hard and we have to buy it from water vendors at very high prices. Because of these challenges, I spent KSH 1400 in buying both food and water. To crown it all, I started a kiosk business that has made me self-employed and I am happy that from it I earn a living.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of giving us a platform where we can be able to raise our living standards. By giving us the cash we can plan accordingly on what we can spend and also ensure that what we spend is going to change our life for the better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A few weeks before receiving the transfer I received the terrible news of my two relatives passing on. Since this was an unplanned event I had a very difficult time. Due to heavy pending bills that were to be paid in the hospital, we had to contribute a certain amount. Immediately after I received the transfer I spent KSH 1960 as my contribution to facilitate the proper burial of my relatives. In addition to that, I spent 1040 to buy food for my family. The food stock present in my house was almost getting finished.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the money at around 8 am in the morning. I was washing utensils at that time. I was very happy with the good news that I had received and I smiled all day knowing that the money was going to help me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a big difference in my life. I will now be able to continue with my business as I did before. I want to focus and do my business the right way now that I have the opportunity to start afresh. I am grateful for the help with the money you gave me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I previously owned a small shop as my business. So the business was doing well until corona came to our country. Everything started going wrong. I did lose lots of customers and eventually, I had to shut down the business since I could not afford the business running costs. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I used the money to restart the business so that I could be able to earn a living from it. So I spent the whole KSH 3000 boosting my previous business. I decided to do it again since I know that from this business I will be able to meet my daily needs and that of my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow. My husband died 10 years ago leaving me behind with 7 children, 2 of who were young and in need of close care. I have been a housewife all long, so the death of my husband left me hanging in despondence. Two years after the demise of my husband, my grass-thatched rooftop was brought down by whirlwind. Due to financial problems, I have been unable to construct another house for myself. With the transfers, I plan to accumulate them to help me build a house of my own, at least of stature.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I sell charcoal, a job which has flooded right now because of the drought that has ravaged our area. No more trees to cut down, and this has affected my returns on charcoal selling. If I can get an alternative job that can keep me going, I will be very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Sleeping under a roof that is not leaking has been my biggest desire. The house I live in is not dissent. I do not get good sleep, as sometimes I am rained on. At my age, going through these problems shames me. I feel abandoned whenever I see my neighbours living in better houses.
