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?
GiveDirectly changes lives by ensuring they offer transfers to different communities without discrimination enabling them to grow in a positive way.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The KES 3000 received from GiveDirectly brought much relief as I have been staying at my brother's place and food was already finished in the house. I was able to spare KES 1400 to get us food which in turn would last us for atleast one week. I work as a shopkeeper at my brother's shop and the remaining balance of KES 1600, I saved up to start a business of my own of selling vegetables since I am not married and have no kids too.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was filled with so much joy after I learned that I had received funds from give directly. I had a dream of starting a family but I was forced to put it on hold. This is because I have not yet established myself. I have been sheltered by my brother and my monthly salary as a shopkeeper is only KES 6000. Now that an opportunity has been presented to me, I believe it won't be long before I finally fulfil my wish.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I started receiving these funds, I was stuck in life. I felt I could not amount to anything. Other than being a shopkeeper at my brother's shop with a monthly salary of KES 6000, I was also housed by him. Having been educated, I want to start a business. This will help me be financially stable. I will also get to put up a structure and thereafter take up a wife to start a family of my own. I believe by next year I will have realized most if not all of this using these funds. There is definitely a great difference in my life because I now do not live by the day but I leave for the day
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a 27-year-old bachelor. My brother, who happens to be my employer, has also sheltered me in his house where he lives with his family. It is my desire to also start one of my own too. Before doing so, I would love to establish myself by putting up a structure and finding a sustainable source of income. Presently, I work as a shopkeeper with a monthly salary of KES 6,000. Even though it has been able to support some of my needs, it still isn't enough to aid me in attaining my inclination. I need KES 60,000 for the house construction. To get this, I saved the funds I got from give directly and I plan on doing the same to the other transfers up until August. Whatever I will have gathered, is what I will use to kick start the project.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I currently share a house with my brother who is a married man. This has deprived me of freedom and privacy. I will use my transfers to construct a house which costs around 60000 KES. This will give me the independence I require as a young man.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was idle after my college until last year August when my brother started a shop business. He employed me as a shopkeeper. I am happy that this keeps me busy and it has also made it possible for me to provide for some of my needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a carpenter by profession, I have never been able to buy tools since I finished school back in 2017. I resorted to working as a shopkeeper in my brother's shop where I am underpaid. This has made it hard to get any professional job with no tools of my own not forgetting my dream of owning a workshop.
