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?
I am pleased with Givedirectly for these cash transfers, and my only hope is that I will be successful in obtaining all of them over the next five years and changing my lifestyle.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The main source of income in this area is the charcoal business. My husband and I both work as a day laborers in the village, selling charcoal. Charcoal burning is no longer viable, buying food for the family is nearly difficult with a limited source of income. I used the majority of the transfer to buy Kes 1800 worth of groceries and foodstuffs. With the remaining Kes 1200, I intend to purchase one goat that will multiply and provide me with an additional source of income.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On the day I received the funds I was in the farm pruning. I heard a buzz on my phone. I gave the phone to my son so as he can read the message to me since I do not know how to read. On hearing it was an MPESA message received from GiveDirectly, I was quite happy. I planned on the usage and did the withdrawal the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Getting the funds greatly impacted livelihoods as we combined efforts with other group ladies to buy food in bulk. I was also able to buy chicken and a goat to keep up with animal farming. I plan to add to the goats with future transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the KES 3000 has brought much joy and relief to the entire family in this tough economic times. I am married to one husband and we have three kids together. My husband works in a different town as a hotelier, hence mostly I am left at home with the kids. Food has been scarce for a while and days hard to see through as the income I make from selling charcoal is not enough to sustain us long. I bought food at KES 1300 that would last us for quite some time. More to that, I bought one goat at KES 1000 and two chicken at KES 700 increasing my farming prospects.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a bright future for my children through education. I have a family of three children. Two are already in school and their performance is excellent. Kazungu and Naomi will be very demotivated if I do not support them to attain their educational desires. I plan to buy 5 goats for 15,000 KES. By the time the children will be joining high school, I believe the goats will have multiplied and I will be able to sell some and clear the tuition fees. This is how the money will aid my children's dreams.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last week, my children had been denied access to school due to fee arrears amounting to 1,500 KES. My husband who works in Lamu immediately sent me the money and I cleared the balance. I was very happy to see my children back to school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
To earn a living and fend for my 3 children, I work as a charcoal burner. This occupation is very tedious. Being a woman, cutting down huge trees take a toll on my health. Charcoal burning can also cause tuberculosis but there is no way I can leave this job. My family will have no food to eat. I can also not compete for formal employment because I never attended school.
