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?
In my opinion, Givedirevtly does well in giving unconditional cash transfer. It never practises partiality thus it supports the most deserving community members. Through its staff, it trains and informs recipients about the safety of their transfer. However, it delays dates of sending transfers. For the last transfer, I experienced delays and irregularity on the actual day transfer was sent contrary to the date prior communicated.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I bought maize seeds worth KES 1,200. I did this in readiness for the planting season that was fast approaching. Farming has been my main source of livelihood despite the fact that the past two seasons never yielded much for us. I am hopeful that the forthcoming season will be better than the previous ones. In addition, I used the rest of the transfer to buy a bale of maize flour for a family of 6 because I did not have any food in the house then. Unfortunately, I did not have money to buy food since in the previous week, I never succeeded in getting any casual job.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 9 am when I was at my home relaxing after coming home from the charcoal burning activity. I heard my neighbor celebrating for receiving their transfer. I checked my phone but I could not get the transfer since it had some technical issues. I had to go to the service provider to solve the issue before I could get them. I was very happy after seeing that I have received the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently living a happy life after settling all my debt. Previously, I was bothered a lot by my creditor who threatened to take the matter to the police. I am very grateful that I no longer have to worry about how to repay my debts.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 1040 to clear the debt that I had accumulated over the time at the nearby shop. I had been taking foodstuffs on loan hoping to pay later. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my family. I am planning to spent the next transfer to purchase one goat and the remaining amount will be spent on food since we are experiencing famine in our area.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As much as I have wanted to start a second-hand clothes business, I have stuck to charcoal burning because I have not been in a position to raise enough capital to start the business. It usually takes 15 days for you to be able successfully to burn and sell charcoal. Since this area is very dry and hence no few trees, the maximum number of bags that you can harvest from one burn is 3 sacks whereby one goes for Ksh 800. This amount is never enough to pay school fees, buy food and cater for other family responsibilities. With this money, I'm planning to save the first six months transfers towards starting the business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite all the challenges we are going through from lack of food to water shortage, all my children are still holding strong and have not given up.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The prolonged drought has made food prices go high. Since this is low season for charcoal burners, the little that I get can only afford us one meal a day. My family is even used to spending the whole day without food. This has not been easy especially for the young school-going children. I know they can comprehend very little when they have nothing in the stomach and I understand their drop-in performance was a result of all this we are going through.
