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 granted me an extra income to help me sustain my family and I without straining. Thus, resulting in being timely on my bill payments. For this, I am entirely grateful to the organization. I haven't noted anything it does bad, all I see is the good things that it is doing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a widow and I stay with my 2daughters and 3grandchildren. I make charcoal for a living. I sell a sac at ksh300. This business is what puts food on the table for my family and also educates my children and grandchildren. The funds from give directly have boosted my finances. When my first transfer came in, I bought some clothes that cost me ksh800, paid for my children's school fees using ksh1000, and the remaining ksh1200 I used to buy food for my family. The second transfer came in during the festive season. So, I took ksh2000 from it to buy some food and nourishments for Christmas. The amount that remained, I paid for the children's school fees.
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 can remember that day as clearly as it was yesterday. I had gone to make some charcoal which I would later on sell. This was our source of income. As I was working, I heard the phone beep with a message and I took it out to see. I was overjoyed when I say that it was the money promised by Give directly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I can pay back my loans that had accrued over the months. I am also able to provide food without missing a beat. This was possible as I was able to buy food that would last us a free week unlike before where we only had one meal a day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My children this year had a very difficult time. Things on the financial side have not been okay especially since we only have one source of income. They have been in and out of school I am just lucky they do not have any disciplinary case. With this money, I was able to clear the fee balance of KES800. Due to the drought, we are experiencing, good is also an issue we are facing as a family. I decided to use the other KES.400 on food. I cannot express my gratitude. Thank you GiveDirectly for this opportunity.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Three of my children are living with me and all of them have three children each. My house is very old and damaged. I have always been looking forward to repair it because building a new one felt like a far cry. Some of the children living with me will also benefit from this program and I hope they can agree to bring this money together so that we can build a much more comfortable house.
Getting a new house will mean the entire world to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
With all the hardship we're going through, there is totally nothing exciting.
I just want this wave to pass. My children to get jobs and make enough money to raise their children comfortably.
My heart bleeds for my entire family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have two children who are still in school. With my charcoal selling business, I don't make enough money to feed them and pay fees comfortably.
They get sent home from school so many times and it makes me feel so hopeless because I want them to study and make something of themselves.
