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?
What GiveDirectly does well is giving hope to the hopeless like me in the society. I didn't see my kids making it as they were almost dropping out of school due to fees arrears. Right now they have stayed in school for the longest time without being sent home for school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Paying school fees for 7 children without a reliable source of income has not been an easy journey for me. I'm a casual labourer and I usually do any available job to pay my bills. My wish is to see my children excel in education and get out this hardship area but my dreams were slowly slipping away as I used to get overwhelmed by bills. When I was enrolled in the program, I took a deep breath, I know my burden was going to be lightened and truly it has. I spent KES 2500 of my recent transfer to pay school fees and KES 500 to buy food. I'm grateful that my children have finally settled in school without fear of being chased anytime. I'm happy that GiveDirectly is supporting me in giving the best that I can to my kids and I don't take it for granted.
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?
I was from fetching water for my home use 60 km away from home. I arrived being very tired. While resting my phone rang and upon checking it I found out that I had received the transfer. I was very happy to receive the transfer. I was thinking hard about where I would get funds to pay school fees for my children. Now that I had received the transfer that was the best news for me
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a big difference in my life. My school children are back in school and continuing with their education. This gives me peace of mind and I can rest easy now that they are back in school. When my children get the best education they need it gives me satisfaction that their lives will be better in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The drought that has hit us in recent years has made our life very hard. Our sources of income from the farm have been destroyed completely. With nothing left to do now, I depend heavily on manual jobs. These jobs pay very little and have nothing left to save to pay school fees. I want my children to get a good education so that they can have a bright future ahead. This has not been possible because I have been struggling in terms of paying school fees for them. When I received the transfer my priority was to pay school fees for them. I spent KSH 1000 paying the fee for them. The rest of the amount I used in buying food.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I would be relieved to feed my children without too much hustle. This money will mean that to us.
We have been surviving on the bare minimum.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I cannot report. Everything seems to be going downhill and uncontrollably. My husband has no steady source of income. I have no job nor savings. I am a sad woman but I hope there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My household income is not very good. I am a stay-at-home mum. My husband takes up casual jobs on a day-to-day basis. With seven children to feed and send to school, we need all the financial help we can get.
