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 have not seen anything bad about give directly, what I know is the great impact their cash donations have had on my village. Most of our lives have improved and it will even get better with more funds.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband is a wine brewer and I am a small subsistence farmer. The droughts that struck last year made it hard for me to farm. This reduced our earnings as my husband was the only one working. Now that there are some signs of rain, I have planted some maize and vegetables with the hopes that they will do well. This will boost our finances and we will be in a better position to fend for our children. Where three are in school and one is married. The eldest of the three is in college. He got a college scholarship to study business administration so I only pay for his exam fee and food expenses. From my second transfer, I paid for his college exam fee of ksh2500, and the remaining amount, I used to buy food for my family. As for my first transfer, I used ksh400 for food purchases, and the remaining amount I used to pay for the children's school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On that day I had gone to the nearest shop to buy water. During this drought, it has been tough as nearby streams dried up and we now have to buy water. When I got back home there first thing I did was check my phone as it is now second nature. I checked and saw that I had indeed received the money I was so happy and relieved. Thank you Give directly for looking after someone like me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I know have dreams which can be attained due to this extra income I am getting from Give directly. I can now pay school fees and buy food without straining myself. I also plan on buying livestock but I will wait until the weather is favorable to rear them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With this first transfer, I was able to focus on my children's education first. They had been coming back home due to being sent home for school fees balance. I decided to pay KES.800 for my children, one in grade one and the other in grade five. The rest of the money KES.400, was spent on buying food so that when they go and come back from school they can have something to eat to give them the energy to read and concentrate in class.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to have some livestock, cows to be specific. When I start receiving this money, for the first eight months I will invest in buying goats, then I will give them time to breed. I will then exchange the goats for cows. My target is to have about four cows. The cows will come in handy when times are hard. So far my two children have benefited from the previous cows I used to have. I sold them so that I could educate them to college level.
For the rest of the money, I will continue paying school fees for my daughter who is still in primary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It has been a very challenging year in general, but I have learned to count my blessings and be grateful for the little I have, especially with the gift of life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a subsistence farmer, for now, twenty-five years, this year has been tough on me especially with the drought, leave alone facing the Covid-19 pandemic. I now depend on my husbands' income of which is not enough. I like supporting my husband especially with paying my childrens school fees, at least I get to pull my weight in the family.
