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 does everything well and I don’t see anything bad. I especially commend them for helping the less privileged in society. Many of the villagers are now optimistic that they will be able to turn around their life and start living better life. I thank GiveDirectly for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Immediately I knew that I was going to receive some funds from GiveDirectly, I set my mind to improve the state of my house first upon receiving the funds. When I received the first transfer of KSH 3000 I spent KSH 1950 to buy three bags of cement. My house needed to be plastered. In addition to the cement, I spent KSH 550 in buying some food e.g. maze flour, sugar, and tea leaves. We cooked some food and together with the mason, we ate during our short breaks. This was aimed at increasing our energy levels to motivate us to do a good job on the house. I spent the remaining KSH 500 in paying the mason who was doing the job. With my first transfer, I was able to plaster one room. When I received the second transfer I again bought three bags of cement and spent the rest of the transfer as I did in the first. I am happy to report that my entire house is now plastered and it looks very good.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The message came in at around nine in the morning and at that time I had taken the livestock from the shed so that they could feed in the farm and to say I was happy would be an understatement because I was completely broke at the moment since I had manged to get any job and I was scared I would starve.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Finally I will get to finish my house because I had stopped due to lack of no money but soon enough I will get to complete my house and I eventually plan on opening up a salon business after I save up some money since I was a hairdresser before but I was employed instead.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Even before I got introduced to this program I had began building my house but unfortunately since I rely on casual jobs here and there I had not managed to finish up with it especially the plastering, so when I received the money I bought three bags of cement worth KES 650 each accumulating to KES 1,950. I also bought three packets of maize flour at KES 300 and two kilograms of sugar worth KES 150 because at the time I had not got any job in a while and so I could not afford a meal. Apart from that I bought laundry detergent worth KES 150, I removed KES 100 as offering in church and saved KES 200.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My hairdressing skills are exemplary. I worked in Nairobi as a hairdresser for over 20 years. Four years ago, I hung my boots and came back home. It felt like I had served my time in the big city. Having started on my house, when I left work I have not been able to finish building it to my heart's desire. This aide has come at a time when I was wondering how I'll complete my project. As the money comes in, I will use it to do what I can at that moment until I complete my house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past week, I woke up to the realization that I am still a great hairdresser. My thoughts have been running wild. I am excited at the prospect of opening a salon here in the village. I feel like I would get clients because of the uniqueness of being a male stylist.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a young man, being productive gives me a sense of usefulness. Lately, I have been feeling so bored as I have no job. Casual jobs are not easy to come by either. The state of lack of jobs in the country is sad and demoralizing.
