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?
Giving us unconditional cash transfers is good as it can help in buying food, you then get to eat healthy or even paying for your kids school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought food and paid for my children's fees using the first transfer. The second transfer went those needs as well; spending KES 2000 on school fees and KES1000 on food. At the time I received the second transfer, 2 of kids were at home but thanks to the money I received, they have now gone back to school. On the same day of receipt, we had not eaten lunch and had no food, so the transfer came in very handy.
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?
To say the list, I felt overjoyed. My family was very hungry at the time. Getting even a day's meal was a challenge. So, without thinking about how the funds will be split, I used ksh700 for food purchases.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My old house is not as spacious. Before, this never bothered me as I did not have funds. Now, my plan is to raise ksh20000 so I may build a new house where my husband and I will leave the old one to my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For two days now, my children have been home due to school fee arrears of ksh8000 for my four children. This was not the only thing we were struggling with. Providing food for my family has also been a challenge. So, when I received the funds, I used ksh500 to reduce the school fee arrears and ksh700 for food purchases.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My children are growing too fast. The house we share is becoming too small for us. My husband and I have had the thought to expand our house to a three-room one. We shall use the money as it comes in the building until we finish. My children deserve a decent sleeping space and privacy. This will make me very happy when we're done.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Lately, there's hasn't been anything to be joyful about. Every day, life is a constant reminder of the basic things we should have but we don't. If we're not battling our children being sent home for arrears, we're battling lack of food or something else like walking long distances to fetch water that's not clean, to begin with.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a seven-month-old baby. On a daily, I have to walk over 10 kilometers in search of water with him strapped on my back. There is no one at home to leave him with. At the end of the day, I'm too tired to even cook for my other 4 children and take care of laundry and the house in general. What's devastating is, this does not look like it's ending any soon. May God help us.
