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?
We are all happy that GiveDirectly has been on the forefront in changing livelihoods with the unconditional transfers enabling us cater for our basic needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being the breadwinner of a large family from the little income received on selling charcoal in these times is quite tough. I am a second wife and at home we live with my co-wife, our vastly aged husband and my eight children. On receiving the KES 3000, I bought food worth KES 800 to last us three days as what was there was already over. I also have been saving up and planning to build my own house come July and true to this, I was able to purchase two iron sheets at KES 1200 and timber at KES 1000 thus I can see my goal being accomplished in the near future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While going about my usual charcoal burning business, I received an alert and after a while I checked on my phone to read the message. I was very happy on seeing an MPESA message from GiveDirectly. At that time, I knew that my life had changed for the better and I would continue providing for my family. I withdrew the amount later the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I was able to buy food for the entire household and now we cannot sleep hungry anymore and more to that bought a hen which I am hopeful will lay eggs and hatch more chicks enhancing the poultry farming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being married as the second wife in the home and also being the sole breadwinner, things have been abit tough without a stable flow of finances. I have eight kids with my husband who is quite aged and does not work. To get by, I sell charcoal and sisal and also at times food to customers to get some funds to provide for the family. The KES 1200 received from GiveDirectly really boosted me and my family as I bought food at KES 900 since what we had was already finished for the past three days and we were having it rough. The remaining KES 300, I purchased one hen and hopeful of getting more to continue practising poultry farming.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have 8 children and we share the same room with some seeking shelter from my relative. For this reason, I have desired to construct a spacious house for my family but this has been impossible due to financial constraints. With this cash grant, I intend to invest my monthly transfers in goat that will act as my store of wealth. I will, therefore, sell the goats and get money to aid in constructing the house once they multiply. This will reshape my livelihood, a transformation that I have wished for a long time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I always feel so much happy especially when my work earns me well. Last December being a festive month, I sold a lot of charcoal and my profit was equally high which helped me to prepare delicious meals for my family. My children enjoyed it a lot and I felt so happy as a mother.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the main challenge that I am struggling with at the moment. My sources of income include; charcoal work, selling some foodstuffs around the village and sometimes I work as a cook at our nearby school. All these contribute to an estimated monthly earning of 4000 KES but this is inconsistent. Considering my family of 10, this income is very little and sometimes I fail to support my children in school, and I consider this as what has contributed to their poor performances in school.
