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?
Give directly has done extremely well when it comes to the cash support program. From this, I will be able to create some financial stability for myself. Other than having the means to purchase a meal, I will also plan to buy some livestock using the funds. There hasn't been an area where give directly has done badly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of three. Two boys (who unfortunately dropped out in class 8 due to lack of means to pay their fees) and one girl (who is currently in a tailoring school). Recently, my husband was able to secure a job in the city as a driver. I, on the other hand, manufacture charcoal for a living, and in a month and I make KES 400 monthly. My daughter, being the only one in school, had a KES 2000 school fee arrears. So, I used KES 1000 to reduce the bill. Whatever remained, I used to restock my household with some nourishments.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was up early in the fields grazing my livestock. My phone vibrated in my hand and after checking it out, I found out that I had received money from Give Directly. I jumped up and down in ecstasy as tears rolled down my cheek. For a minute I was immersed in deep thoughts on how to spend the money. I quickly took the livestock back home and headed straight to the Mpesa shop where I withdrew the money and immediately bought the food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Using the funds to buy food made a big difference in my life. The past two weeks were tough because we skipped some meals and slept on empty stomachs due to lack of food. My husband's not being able to work due to the uncontrollable challenges contributed to the situation. I am happy and relieved that we now have plenty to eat and my child no longer goes to eat from the neighbors.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a homestay mum because I do not have a job. I fully depend on my husband who works as a motorcycle rider. Due to the shortage and high prices of fuel, my husband has been unable to work for the past two weeks. Because of this, he has been struggling to meet our daily needs (food). I decided to sell a goat to get money and buy food for the family (wife and 1 child) but I was not successful. Together with my family, we slept hungry for most of the days. Upon receiving my transfer, I bought 12 packets of maize flour and some 2 Kg of sugar. The food I bought eased the tough situation I was in and I am happy that we had something to eat.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My last-born daughter has always wanted to be a professional tailor. Before she sat for her final exam in primary school, she made it clear to me that her interest was in tailoring and would appreciate it if I took her to college to pursue the same.
It has now been two years since she completed and is well equipped to start her own business.
I plan to gift her with a sewing machine and some materials for her to kick off. It will cost me about 20000 KES, I would move heaven and earth to be able to make her dream come true. I am so glad I will have the opportunity to benefit from this program.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It is not every day you are visited by your son-in-law and he comes bearing gifts. In November he honored me by paying dowry for my second-born daughter. He had taken a while but I was happy he delivered his promise. Children today get married and they fail to pay a dowry for their wives, they leave their parents worried and annoyed, some parents result to taking back their daughters until the dowry is paid but I am glad my son-in-law is different.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Shortage of food is my main concern. I am a farmer but unfortunately, the rains have not favored us. My husband works as a driver, once in a while he sends money for upkeep, and at times he comes home with food, especially cereals which are not perishable.
This only means we have to work with the little we get and it forces us to eat a meal a day. I live with two of my grandchildren who most of the time are in school. This comes as an advantage to me because they do not have to stay at home idle and without food.
