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?
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the first transfer to buy food. We had not had food for 3 days. I therefore used the transfer to buy flour, sugar and salt. For the second transfer, I used all of it to cater to my children's educational needs. They had been sent home from school due to school fees arrears. They also needed shoes and money for their examinations. I therefore, used the hole amount in the educational expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 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 at 9:30 am. I was on the farm looking around to see if I would get even the slightest piece of cassava so that I could go and cook and consume it as breakfast. Upon checking my phone I confirmed that I had received the transfer. I was very happy and immediately went back home withdrew the money and bought something for breakfast.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Yes, the transfer has made a big difference in my life. I didn’t have any food at the time before receiving the transfer leave alone water. Everything was a dead-end for me. When I received the transfer it helped me a lot and I am grateful that I have food to eat now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I have no jobs. We live a life of hand-to-mouth. On several occasions, we have had to downscale the number of meals from three to two and even at times one meal per day. This has become the norm for our family since it is very hard to find jobs. The drought situation has also contributed to our awful woes as there is nothing we can do with our farms at the moment. Being enrolled in the program was a light at the end of the tunnel for us. With the money from the transfer, I was able to buy food worth KSH 800 for my family. I also spent KSH 150 on buying detergents. My school-going children have each 1 pair of school uniforms. Once they are back from school in the evening I have to wash their clothes so that they are clean for use for the next day. At times I do face a challenge I do not have money to buy detergents since they will have to wear the same clothes the next day without being washed. I bought some water for home use with the remaining amount of the transfer. Water is hard to find these days and the available water is very expensive. Since we cannot survive without water the smallest coin I get channeled to the purchasing of water.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The house we are currently living in is very tiny. With our children growing fast, we do not have enough room for all of us.
My husband works as a mason at Mazeras. I appreciate the effort he puts to provide for us. With pulled resources, I can not estimate how much money we need or how much time it will take but our dream is to build a big beautiful house out of brick.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband comes home once a week from Mazeras. Whenever he comes, he ensures that he has brought me a gift, even if a small one. This makes me feel loved and appreciated.
He also does not shy away from giving me compliments and reminding me that I'm doing a great job looking after our children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lately, we do not have enough food. My husband is paid once a week and the money is not enough to buy us food and foot other bills. I have been thinking of starting a kitchen garden so that we don't have to struggle with vegetables. The biggest setback to this project is the pot supply of water. I'm still hopeful though.
