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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Full dependence on my husband’s salary makes it hard to fulfill other needs beyond food and education. I enrolled at a self-help group to help save and invest in my money that can later be withdrawn towards the end of the year. The initiative is significant, especially during financial emergencies where I can easily acquire a loan without strain. Also, it gives me a chance to ultimately reap a huge lump sum enough to satisfy all my wants. So I channeled KES 2000 towards this saving plan. Additionally, I used KES 2000 to buy food and paid off debts with the rest.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Previously I have been in a chama which we always contribute to it for saving hence on receiving the 3rd transfer of KES 3000, I was able to dedicate KES 1000 to the same cause while the remaining KES 2000, I was able to purchase food items for the family as they were almost depleted.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The projects that Give directly do, like this one for example where they help the vulnerable is what Give directly, does well. My husband and I are lucky that even if we do not earn anything on that day we have food at home and our family can live in comfort. Things will run smoothly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With this transfer, I was able to focus on food as it has been hard getting paying jobs or even an income as my spouse looks for odd jobs to make ends meet. I am a farmer but since the drought started I was not able to plant or even make a harvest as everything dried up. I used KES.2000 to buy food and water to drink. The remaining KES.1000 I used to save for any future emergencies and plans I might have to start a business. This is all thanks to Give directly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I did not know that we had already been sent the money as I was busy doing other things. My friends were the ones who came in and told me that I had indeed received the money but we're not sure whether it came from Give directly Luckily enough the field officers came in and confirmed that it was indeed Give directly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is I can now have a constant income where I can budget for it whether or not I have work. The security of having some income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving this first transfer I decided to pay school fees KES.500 for my children and also saved KES.1000 in my Chama I left KES.500on my phone for emergencies and other daily expenses. Things this year has not been going according to plan but this money together with what both my husband and myself can earn daily things will get better.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always had the wish to help my husband with the burden of providing food. He works in one of the gas cylinders companies in Mombasa. He earns 9000 KES per month. This is not sustainable as he also have other obligations to meet. The monthly transfers will be a big boost and a dream come true for me. I will be able to provide food for my family and in so doing, allow my husband channel his earnings to other things.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. It is at this time that I get the opportunity to talk to my husband on phone. He works in Mombasa, and so he rarely comes back home. It is at this time that I get the opportunity to know about his wellbeing.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine being sent 2500KES a whole month for upkeep! My husband has no formal job. He casually works in a gas company as a security officer. His monthly earning, 9000KES is not sustainable. Monthly, he remits 2500KES meant for food and 500KES for my upkeep. This is not enough. I cannot even save a coin to meet other personal demands. Sometimes I fail to give my children lunch money. This pains me, seeing my inability to provide for my children.
