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 well by offering cash donations which will help in improving my life. From it, I will buy goats and chickens which I know will reproduce and multiply in number thus improving my financial status. In my opinion, there is nowhere they are not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time when I got my first transfer, I had some school fee arrears plus there was no food to feed my children. So, I used the money to pay the KES400 school fee arrears for my two children. As for the rest, I used to buy food. For my second transfer, since my child is in class 8, and for him to be registered for his final exams, he needed to clear his school fee arrears. I did so by paying KES1000. For the other two children who had arrears of 2000, I reduced the debt to KES1000. I also wanted to start poultry farming so I bought two chickens that cost me KES400 and the remaining KES600 I used to buy food and other household essentials like soap. This money has boosted my earnings as a school Cook where I earn KES200 daily and fending for my family has been manageable.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I work in a school as a cook. I was cooking porridge for the young kids who are in the kindergarten stage. It was around 9 am in morning. I received the text message on my phone and after checking it out, I indeed confirmed that I had received my transfer. I quickly called my husband and I told him the good news and he was very happy. Later that evening we sat and discussed the best possible way to spend the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Yes, my children were able to sit for their exam papers courtesy of the transfer. We were also able to buy food that lasted for a couple of days. The transfer was able to help us in a big way to fulfill our most pressing needs at that time. I am grateful for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A day before receiving the transfer my kids were sent home from school. When I received the transfer I used KSH 500 from the transfer to pay exam fees for my two kids. I was relieved that the funds helped them to sit for their end-of-term exam papers. I also spent the remaining part of the transfer of KSH 670 on buying food for the family. My family did not have anything to eat and a few days before we had slept hungry for two days surviving on just hot tea.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My love for poultry farming was smashed when I had to sell most of my chicken. At the beginning of the year, I had more than 20 chickens. Half of these died when a strange disease struck. What remained, I was afraid they'd also die so my family and I ate a few and sold the rest at a throwaway price. I'm hopeful that I'll revive my poultry business and thrive in it. As the money from Give Directly comes, I'll start there and keep growing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I got into the business of cooking chapati and selling them. Whenever I make and sell all of them in one sitting, I feel so happy. Seldom don't come home with anything left. I use those returns to prepare more for the following day and I've also gotten into table banking that's allowing me to save towards expanding our house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I want you to picture yourself spending countless nights in a house that has no door, sleeping on the floor and we're at a time of the year that has seen an increase in snakes and chameleons due to the heat. We have no bed, therefore, my husband and I put up for the night on the floor, my two children sleep on a makuti stand we made for them that has no mattress. On more than one occasion, we have been woken up by slithering snakes and have had to kill them. My prayer is that we would get money and fix a door as well as buy at least two beds and mattresses.
