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 as it has helped me take my children to school, I think that is the best part. I do not know of any improvements GiveDirectly can make.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I Have used both the first transfer entirely on school fees. I paid school fees for my 4 children who are in Primary School and got to bridge the gap even though I have not cleared paying.
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?
I have 5 children in school. Two of them were sent home due to school fee arrears of ksh8000. Other than this, my family has also been struggling to get food. My husband being the sole breadwinner of the family, was at the time not doing well financially due to less demand of his services as a handyman at a construction site. So, when I received the funds, the first thing I did was to reduce the arrears by ksh500. This helped me to negotiate with the school management to allow my children back to class. As for the remaining amount, I used it to buy maize flour.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Even though the difference I have noted in my life so far is not much, it's obvious the funds uplifted me financially. We were struggling as a family in that, getting food for my children and paying their fee at some point, felt impossible. Now, I can't say the same as since I have somewhere I can bank on for some financial support.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The day I received these funds, my family and I had slept hungry for 3 since my husband who works as a handyman at a construction site had gone days without getting a job. Seeing my children go to bed on an empty stomach made me feel hopeless. So, when I received the funds, I felt happy and my hope was restored. I was able to buy some flour and we now could afford to have at least 2 meals a day.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
This drought has brought us to a point where we can not afford to even feed our children. Most days we are only able to make one meal. Sometimes we all go to bed hungry. As a parent, I feel horrible when my children look at me expectantly but I know for certain they'll sleep hungry. Communicating the same to them is even worse, sometimes I just prefer to watch them fall asleep one by one as I pretend to be looking for something to cook.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Sometimes I feel like I've failed as a parent, however, my children look at me as a superhero. I'm beginning to think that maybe to them, staying hungry and not going to school sometimes is a way of life. How sad is that?
I feel so happy when they are content with the things I can offer and never question why we can't enjoy some luxuries like three square meals.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband and I have 8 children. 4 of whom are in school. We have been struggling to pay their school fees because the money he makes as a mason isn't enough to feed us and pay fees. We have been talking about using these funds from Give Directly to pay our children's fees. We would like to see them study and progress to the highest levels of education that's why we will prioritize school fees.
