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?
The cash transfer has really helped us and improving our lives and paying our debts so in my opinion give directly has done extremely well I have not seen anything bad that give directly has done
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of seven. Three of my children are yet to join School. One amongst them has not joined because I am yet to buy him a school uniform. So, I plan that he joins next term. I was unable to buy them for him because of my ulcers condition that hasn't allowed me to go back to work as per the instruction of the doctor. Leaving my husband as the sole provider for the family. Using the earnings, he gets from charcoal manufacturing; he ensures he covers most of our needs. The remaining four children who are in school had arrears of KES5400 before I started receiving the transfer. So, when I received my first transfer, I reduced the bill by KES500. On the next transfer I received, I also used it to reduce the bill using KES1500. On a first and second transfer again, I used the remaining balance to purchase food and some kitchen essentials.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was just in the house relaxing when I heard my phone ring, it was a text message. And because I'm not able to read, I had to wait for my son to come back from school so that he could read it out for me. He told me that I had received some cash from GiveDirectly, I was so elated because I wasn't expecting it. It was late in the evening so I couldn't withdraw it till the following day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
GiveDirectly transfers have brought joy and peace in my home. We no longer sleep hungry and also my kids can remain in school without been sent home for fees balance. This is a life saving mission
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received my first transfer of KSH 1200. With it I was able to buy food suppliments worth KSH 700 so as to ensure we have some food in the house. My two kids had been sent home from school due to fees arrears, so with the remaining KSH 500 I settled the balance and they went back to continue with their studies.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Seeing my children home because of lack of school fees breaks my heart. As we speak, all my children are home because I have been unable to pay their school fees on time. The drought currently encountered in my area has made it difficult to meet all the family needs given that I am forced to weigh between food, water and school fees. I am planning to use 50,000KES from the GiveDirectly transfers to pay school fees for my children. This will ensure that my children have ample study time in schools and definitely their academic performances will improve. I will use a further 30,000KES to buy goats for domestic rearing. When my children join secondary school, I will sell the goats at a profit and take my children to boarding secondary schools.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My siblings have been finding time to pay me a visit. They are too aware of the struggles I am going through and whenever they visit, they help in one thing or the other. This has brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge I'm facing right now is the lack of money to pay school fees for my children. Currently, my children are not in school. This has totally denied me peace because my desire has always been seeing my children excel in studies so that they can change the current family situation. I have tried to talk to their teachers severally but all my efforts are yet to bear fruits.
