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 people money and letting everyone decide on how to spend their cash was the best idea. The rate of poverty in the country is loud and it is even worse in the rural especially my community. People have been able to plan well whenever they receive their transfers which has led to a great improvement in our village. Everyone is talking positively about the organization and I have not heard of any complaints so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 1500 to purchase foodstuffs for my family that can take them for some time. I have saved 1500 for future use to purchase chicken for rearing. Their demand is usually high, and they do not need much capital. Besides, due to the current drought livestock would not be the best to keep because of the challenge of getting their feeds and water. I might consider raising goats later in the year once we have enough rain.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The transfers were sent when I was very down financially. I was worried on how be able to get food for my family. In addition, I was not sure how my husband and I would raise fees for our children when schools open. My husband is a motorcycle rider, and due to rise in fuel prices, his business has not been doing well. When I received the transfer, I felt so happy and some relief. I knew I would able to acquire more food for the family as well as paying school fees for the children when schools open.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I received my first transfer, I feel more peaceful. I am no longer stressed up as I used to feel before. Having adequate food in the house at such a time has helped me to contain my children at home during this holiday. While still having food stuff in the house, I shall be saving my little income from the business for other household needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a business woman and I mostly handle ready made food. Due to rise in the cost of commodities, my business has been performing poor for the past 3 months. As a result, I have been realizing very low income. Therefore acquiring food and paying school fees has been too hard for me. Upon receiving the transfer, I spent KES 1,000 on buying food. The balance of KES 2,000 are saved and I shall use to pay off school fees for my 2 school going children immediately schools open. They will have a ample time to focus on their studies unlike before when they were frequently sent back home. Thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am operating a small food kiosk near a neighboring primary school. It always gives me good profit which I mostly spend to provide for my family's basic needs. There is a high demand but due to lack of enough capital I cannot expand it. Receiving this money would mean I expand my business so that it can serve many customers at ago and I believe through this I will have a reliable source of income which will go along way in sustaining the family needs as well as paying my two daughters who are in pre primary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My food kiosk is nearby a primary school, hence when the students are in session I usually make good profits as they are the customers I target. Through this I get some money to cater for my family needs which always gives me every reason to feel great.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a business person, currently the cost of commodities is very high making it hard for my small business to get profits. The number of customers is also low compared to last year which means low profits in return. Eventually this makes me unable to provide my family with the basic needs such as food and school fees.
