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?
Give directly has done well through the cash donations. This has helped me a lot with the payment of my bills and purchases of some nourishment for my family. Now that I have reopened my hotel, the funds will also help in improving it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Two weeks ago, I reopened my hotel after I had taken a maternity break since August last year. I have been struggling to keep it up and running again. So, sometimes I am forced to depend on my husband, who works as a motorcyclist, for financial support. With so many bills to settle, like the KES8,500 school fees arrears for my six children, I have also tried helping out where I can. So, when I got my first transfer, I used KES1000 to pay for the children's school fees and KES200 to purchase food for my family. In my second transfer, on the other hand, I used KES2000 to reduce the arrears, KES600 to purchase five packets of maize flour, and KEs400 for some household essentials.
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 seated in my compound when I heard my neighbors saying that the transfers have been sent. I was really waiting for the money because I had school fees arrears. I withdrew the money the following day. It was very timely since it is the same day my two children had been sent home for school fees. I was very excited because immediately I came back home, I went and paid the school fees.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My thoughts and plans have changed since I started receiving the transfers. This is because I am sure of getting KES 3,000 every month. I can now plan my self well and have a budget for the month. Aside from that, I have a business of selling fast foods within my compund which I hope that this money will help me expand.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I arrived back home from withdrawing my money, I found my children at home because I had school fees arrears. I used KES 800 to pay their school fees and the rest KES 400 to buy maize flour and sugar. I am happy when my children are well satisfied and are in school learning.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a food kiosk that gives me around 200 KES on a good day. This business helps me to support my husband with few responsibilities in the house. Sometimes it is not easy to feed my family because currently, we need money to pay school fees for our children. I have always wanted to boost my current business to earn more money but that has not been the case due to a lack of insufficient capital. Receiving this means a boost to my business that will give me a consistent income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was blessed with a bouncing baby girl last month that brought a bundle of joy and happiness to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My food business has not been doing very well of late due to COVID-19. With the current situation, I feel I have burdened my husband with all the responsibilities that made him not to be consisting paying school fees for our children. It is stressful and frustrating not being in a position to help with the responsibilities.
