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?
GiveDirectly wells well by helping the needy in the society. With no source of income, it has been very for me to provide for my family daily. Through the funds I am receiving, I provide for my family by buying food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a son who is about to sit for her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams. To support him as him do well in the exams, I spent KSH 2000 to buy him the essential materials required for him to be comfortable to sit for the exams. I bought him a geometrical set, a set of pencils, erasers. I am thrilled that he is finally going to sit for the exams and I hope that after all the struggles he has been through from class one up to now; he is going to pass with flying colors. Besides preparing my son for the examinations, I spent the remaining KSH 1000 to buy food for my family. The effects of the drought are immense, as I can no longer harvest anything from the farm. I buy the food we consume from the shop at very high prices, making it difficult to buy a lot. I earn an income from fetching water for other people. The amount is little and I spend it all in buying food for the family.
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?
That day I received the message in the morning and I was so happy because I make money from selling water to people and sometimes the money is not enough so I was so glad that I would manage to pay some of my debts like school fees so that would avoid being sent home and that I could manage to afford a meal.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I get exhausted most times from carrying and selling water so this money has helped in giving me financial support to take care of my daughter and myself since even the money I make is not enough to cater for all of our needs but now with the funds I receive I feel relieved.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After I received the money I immediately went ahead to secure the nourishment of me and my family which only consisted of me and my daughter ever since my husband passed away years ago. I thought of getting a meal because at that time we had completely run out and so I bought five packets of maize flour worth KES 500. As for the rest of the money I decided that I would pay my daughters tuition fee since she had a debt a school which I had yet to pay and so I paid KES 700.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I will finally be able to repair my house, I live in a house without a door and it gets cold at night. I will buy a new door, iron sheets to roof my house.
I will invest in buying a cow and sell its milk. For the rest, I will buy food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy any time I get to spend it with my family. I am blessed to be alive and living with my grandchildren.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food is a major challenge, we go for days without and I have to survive on black tea. I make ksh100 from casual jobs and it is never enough to cater to all our basic needs.
