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 hold an opinion that GiveDirectly as an NGO does well in offering financial support to us. Giving cash with no condition attached gives a free will to our community members to prioritize their areas of need. Consequently, the transfer in a big way is contributing to improving our lifestyle. We are therefore able to plan to accomplish some specific goals such as building new houses. What we could not do at first. Its ways of operations are so good thus I have not yet observed what it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I live at home while my husband works in Mandera. More often our household foregoes meals whenever he delays sending for us some upkeep. For instance, when the transfers were sent, we did not have some food in the house. We had used all the foodstuff we had stored. For about a week, we were only surviving on tea and little solid food. Upon receiving the transfer, I spent KES 1,000 on buying food. In addition, I saved KES 2,000 intending to build a new house. Currently, I am living in my brother-in-law's house. I feel very uncomfortable because he is a married man with a family and more often he is there with his wife. This looks shameful but I have been bearing that shame because I do not have the best alternative.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was just done washing utensils at home when I heard my phone beep. I immediately reached to see what kind of a message it was and on checking it was a MPESA confirmation text. I was so happy and lacked words to express my joy. I told my husband about it and after planning, I withdrew it the following day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
It has always been our dream to build our house and thus with the aid of these transfers I can say that this dream will be achieved. We have started saving up for it and in due time we will have it accomplished.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I'm married with one kid but I live with my husband's relatives. My husband is a casual labourer at a nearby town thus he comes back home once in a while. We have been planning to save up and build our own home in due time. When I received my first transfer of KES 3050, I used KES 1000 to buy food in the house since what we had was almost over. With KES 1000 I paid for timber and the remaining KES 1000 is still saved up to be used at a later date either to add on to buy some livestock/poultry or to buy building materials.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As a new mother, lately, I have been thinking of the kind of life I want for our daughter. As early as now, I feel the need to start saving for her well-being. My husband and I have decided to it aside KES 1,500 per month. When she gets to the age she's required to join school, we shall use that money for fees at a good school, even if it means moving to a place where we'll get a decent one. The rest of the money we shall use for food and water on a daily basis.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The birth of my daughter made my husband and me so happy. She's such a cute bundle of joy. I had quite a difficult pregnancy. At some point, I thought I would lose it due to multiple complications but we made it through the nine months. I have her in my arms and nothing can beat the feeling of being a mom.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I stay with my mother-in-law as my husband works as a casual laborer in Mazeras. We also share the two-roomed house with another daughter-in-law and four of her children. The sleeping space is small. This makes the nights long, hot, and uncomfortable. My husband is saving some money toward building a small house for us and I hope this happens soon.
