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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Two days prior to receiving the money, three of my kids had actually been kicked out of school due to the outstanding debt they had in tuition fee which I had failed to pay due to lack of funds. So when I received the money I immediately went ahead to pay for their school fees and gave them KES 1,500 to be split among them equally. I then went ahead and used the remaining KES 1,500 in buying maize that I planned to take to the mill so that I would get flour and have a meal in the house.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the first transfer to buy food as we did not have enough. There are days we could eat and not be sure of the next meal. GiveDirectly has been of great assistance to me and my family as my husband is very sick. He's been unwell for about 3 years now. We used to depend on him thus, with him ailing we have had to go through a rough patch. GiveDirectly has however, saved the day. I used the second and third transfer to pay school fees for my 6 school-going children. At the times I received the transfers, they had been chased from school due to arrears. Therefore, I used the transfer to pay for their school fees.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is doing a great job because before getting introduced it I had future plans for my family and like building a bigger house for my family of eleven but had no means or idea on how I would acquire the money to even begin the project but now I am so glad that through it, I can finally see it happening.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As soon as I received the money I immediately sent it to my husband back in the village because at the moment I work as a nanny in town but my husband and I had plans to build a bigger and better house for our family with the money we received and will keep on receiving since our house is old and the roofing has collapsed severally. Therefore a better house will be best for the family and also for our own safety. We are yet to use it since we are still trying to acquire labourers and material like iron sheets and bricks.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was happy because although I could not completely clear paying for all their fees I had at least paid a minimal amount,so this meant they would not have to be sent back home for a while as I looked for more money in the mean time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been the bread winner of my family for a while now since my husband fell ill sometime back and so most occasions I am burdened financially because the funds come out of one pocket and yet my job pays the bare minimum to cater for everything. So the money has helped lift the burden off my back and I can at least get financial assistance and keep my children in school .
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family consists of nine people and that includes my husband I. The rest are seven of our children and they all go to school , so after I received the money I went ahead and deposited all the money in their tuition fee which was KES 1200 for all of them and I was left with a debt of KES 5740 that I am yet to pay .
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to build a house for my family, this desire will be fulfilled once I start receiving this money. I will save for about four months then I will build my dream house. A three-bedroom house with a verandah where I can host visitors and sit with my family.
I will also use it to pay school fees for my seven children. I was a domestic worker but left the previous home due to bad treatment from the family. I know do casual jobs, like fetching water and farming other peoples land.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I have a form of income and food to feed my children is my source of joy. With this drought, getting something to eat at the end of the day is a cause to be happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My main challenge is that I do not have a stable source of income, which makes it hard to get food. I have to go to people's farms and work for them to get food to eat. This season we did not harvest maize, it has made life worrisome and hard. Waking up every day not knowing where our next meal will come from is depressing. Most days my children only eat in the morning and at night, getting something for them to feed on during the day is really hard.
