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, GiveDirectly is doing very well. This organization is well structured with qualified and professional staff who have good etiquette and courtesy. There is no area where I feel the organization did wrong and mine is a thanksgiving for the support that I am receiving monthly for the next 5 years.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a parent of school going children, school fees has been a challenge for me because I do not have a steady income generating activity. When I received the money, I took KES 2000.00 and paid school fees for my children so that they could be retained in school and smoothly concentrate on their studies. Having settled that, I looked at how the hunger has stroke us, no yields from the shamba because the rain failed us. In relation to the drought situation, I saw it prudent to use the KES 1000.00 to buy some food stuff for the family.
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?
It was in the morning around 9am when I was on my way to work as a casual laborer in a construction site.The previous day my son was chased home and I was puzzled on how he would go back to school.I received a message which made me very happy and for a moment I was relaxed and after doing my work I was a happy man walking home with confidence that my son would return to school the next day even without receiving my due that particular day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest challenge I have is lack of food especially during this time that we have not had the long and short rains hence as a farmer who works partly as a casual laborer in construction sites it's been difficult to provide food for my family.The funds that I have been receiving together with my wife has brought the biggest change in our family in terms of food.I can confidently attest that we can even go to a shop and get food on credit on the merit that at the end of the month we can afford to pay up .Moreover I have seen my relationship with my wife improve because we have come together and made good decisions on our finances
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer who works part-time as a casual laborer in construction sites.I have 9 children ,my first born is married ,three of my other sons have married while I have three who are still in school while the remaining 2 of my sons dropped from school due to lack of funds.My transfer was spent in paying for one of my children who was chased home because of a balance of kshs 800.I was lucky because the funds came on time and I took him back the next day and cleared the balance,the remaining kshs 400 was used to buy foodstuff and I also bought airtime to speak to my only daughter who is married.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My parents did not take me to school because of a lack of money. I used to remain behind to look after livestock when other children were going to school. I promised to work hard so that my children will not go through the same fate as I did. I am a father of 9 children, 6 of them dropped out of school due to lack of finances. It sadness seeing them out of school with little to do to help them and this is why I plan to make sure that the remaining 3 children get the best education with the money that I will be getting from GD for the next five years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My eldest daughter came back to visit a month ago, she came with her children and brought me some clothes. I was very happy to see them after a very long time.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Feeding my children is the most challenging thing I currently face. I depend on casual jobs at construction sites where sometimes make 500KES per day, the money is enough to take care of my children if it were consistent but unfortunately, the jobs are rare to come by due to the poor economy.
