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 like the way the field officers handled us with humility and respect during the community sensitization. Later everyone received their transfers as was promised without involving another party. Everyone who received the transfers is happy and appreciative of the support. On the other hand, there are a few people who were left out because they were not at home to run various errands and feel they were unfairly left out.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a casual laborer (fetches water for people) where I make a maximum of KES 150 daily and at times even less. Being the sole breadwinner after my spouse passed on less than a year ago, it has been a struggle to cater to my five children's needs. They have been on a long holiday and soon they will be reporting back to school, yet I had not bought their school requirements. When I received the second transfer, I spent KES 2000 on both their school uniform and books. Two of them had torn school attires, so I had to replace them. I still have KES 1000 which I will pay for their fees when they go back to school. I am great full to Give Directly for the support because I doubt if they had reported back to school if it was not for the transfers.
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?
I was just from taking shower in the morning ready to face the day when I heard a message notification. I was not in a hurry to check it out because I thought it was the daily reminder to repay a loan that I had borrowed. When I later opened the message, I found out that it was the cash transfers message and I was so happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There hasn't been a big different in my daily life really but I'm thankful because I was able to reduce my son's fees arrears from KES 28000 to KES 25000.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Ever since my husband passed away last year, life has never been the same for me and my family (8 children and 3 grand children). Before my husband fell sick, I was operating a local restaurant and I spend all the profit and the resources that I had to pay for his medical bills. It's been confusing journey for me because it's not easy to take care of family of eleven without a stable source of income. I have been doing casual jobs in the farms and construction sites and with help of my older son who operates a local grocery shop, we have been managing to provide at least a meal per day. My son who is in college had accumulated fees arrears of KES 28000 and he was not allowed to sit for his exams until he clears the arrears. I spend KES 3000 that I received to pay his school fees and I don't know how I will manage to clear the arrears but I'm paying to God to open doors for me.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better future for my household. I am imagining, getting 3000 KES every month! It will be a big boost to me since none of my 5 children will be sent out of school due to lack of fees. I will be clearing their fees at the beginning of the month, this will guarantee them ample time in school and hence, better education. I will also accumulate my 3 months' transfers to get 9000 KES which will help me to start a grocery within the village to sell some vegetables and fruits. This will earn me a good profit since there are only 2 vendors but they are not reliable.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the many challenges that I have faced, one thing that I am grateful for is the fact that I have very jovial children that when are around me, I feel so much excited with their many laughable stories. This has made me forget the demise of my husband and hence, this is basically what has brought joy to my life in the past 6 months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After the death of my husband 6 months ago, I have gone through many challenges in my household that have robbed away the joy in my life. Imagine assuming the role of breadwinner for a family of 8 members yet I am a jobless person. It has been a very tough moment and in most cases, we skip meals while my children are also missing classes due to a lack of school fees. This has forced me to engage in very energy-draining jobs like charcoal work which has low earnings, utmost 2500 per month, an income that can not fully support us. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income is the main challenge that I am currently facing.
