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?
As much as I am displeased with the fact that I had to miss out on three of my transfers as my phone was faulty then (it easily lost network) which delayed my plans of progressing myself, I believe give directly has also done great through the cash donations. Now I feel like I have an extra source of income. So, whenever my husband fails to send me some cash, I know that I would have somewhere I could turn to for some financial aid
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Three out of my 5 children are in school paying a termly fee of KES 3550. since I'm only a housewife, my husband, who works as a handyman at a construction site, is the one that works at ensuring that the fee is paid. This is often very challenging as his daily pay normally varies from KES 150 to KES 500 depending on where he has been contracted. When I got these funds, he had not been lucky the previous day and we had just run out of food. So, I used KES 1000 to restock the house with some nourishments and the remaining KES 2000 was used to settle the debt we had in school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Other than not having a meal and my children being home for a month due to ksh2300 school fee arrears, I was heavily pregnant and I had some painful contractions. My husband was up and about looking for any casual job to do so that he would send me some money for my hospital bill. Unexpectedly, I received my transfer. This took me aback and I felt lucky and blessed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There is great difference in my life after I received the funds. Now, my children have resumed their classes, we can have at least one decent meal in a day and most importantly, I was treated on time after developing some pregnancy complications and now I have my baby boy in my arms. I also am guaranteed of some monthly cash transfer that will boost the money my husband will be bringing in for our support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband is a carpenter by profession, he has been unemployed for a while and just yesterday, he was able to secure a job. So, before I got the funds, life was hard for us and it even got worse when I was heavily pregnant. Therefore, when I got the funds, I used ksh550 on my medical expenses, ksh1450 on the food budget and ksh1000 to reduce my children's school fee arrears of ksh2300.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am glad that this help has come to us. My husband works very hard as a mason. He provides for our 4 children and me to the best of his ability. Given that I do not possess any formal education, my chances of getting a decent job are next to impossible. It's also very difficult to get odd jobs as a woman here in the village. This money will help to boost my husband's income and now we can budget it accordingly to cater to food and the children's school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Whenever I remember that I'm about to bring forth an additional child to our family, I feel so happy. I cannot wait to give birth and continue to take care of my growing family. I love children and having my own is an overwhelming joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
There's a severe water shortage. This drought needs to end. We have to walk long distances in search of water. I am eight months pregnant and these trips are no longer friendly to my health.
