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 I like the fact that you send us cash and you follow up to find out how we doing and how we spend our cash transfers.I would not want you to change because I haven't seen anything that you are doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always had interest in Welding. I developed interest and passion from the time I saw my friend who was unemployed with financial constraints making his Welding career in the field and making more money.Recently I was encouraged to understand that he already bought his own welding machine and is set to open his own business and quit employment. When I received my first transfer I was set to start my welding career and I invested all my transfer as my first tuition fees leaving me with a balance of kes 2000 for my first month of training.My second transfer came when the school was on a break and I saved all my transfer in hope of getting the next transfer so as to clear the balance and pay partly for my second month.
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?
I received the text message confirming that I had received the cash at around 7 am in the morning. A friend of mine had passed by and told me that he did receive the money that very morning. When I looked at my phone, I did get a confirmation that I had received the money. I became very happy since I was not expecting any amount from anyone.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money is going to make a big difference in my life. I will be able to go to college and get some skills that I will use in taking care of myself and my family too. I am very happy about that and thank you so much for the help.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently jobless and with the economic state in the country, things aren’t that good for me. I have always wanted to go to college so that I can go learn and get skills that will help me in terms of being able to fend for myself. When I received the KSH 3000 from GiveDirectly I decide to save the amount and used it later as my school fees when I have enough money to join the college.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Rajab, a close friend, is a successful welder. He built a permanent house and married. He has always urged me to take the course but financial restraints have for long barred. Acquiring this money will allow me to pursue the course and emulate my friend Rajab.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Lunch hours. I engage in a risky job, taping palm wine which demands climbing up to ten coconut trees in a day. It is usually windy. Once am safely done, I feel nice, I get back to my small house, relax while enjoying a cup of palm wine.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Am the last born in a family of five. I had to drop out of school, in standard seven, to allow my immediate brother, who was in form two, to finish his studies. My parents, being jobless, could not afford to educate both of us. I went to town looking for a job but since I could get none, I came back to the village without clear hopes for the future.I have ended up being a palm wine tapper.
