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 am grateful for the assistance I have received from GiveDrectly this far because the most important aspect for me is to keep my children in school and through the funds that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly, paying school fees has not been challenging like it was previously. Were it not for the money I received my kids would have probably been kicked out school and I have no idea when again I would manage to send them back.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I happen two have eight children of which five are in primary school, one in highschool and the other two are still toddlers and they have not yet started school. When I received the money I went ahead and paid tuition fee for one of my kids who was in primary school KES 1,000 since the debt was huge and the school was on the verge of kicking her out of school and then paid another KES 1,000 to my other kid who was in highschool. I did not pay for the rest because at the time their debts were manageable. I was left with KES 1,000 which I used to buy nine packets of maize flour because we barely had any food in the house at that time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That morning, I was in the farm weeding when I heard my phone messager ring. Since I don't know how to read, I call my son who had been send home to check what was it all about. " You've received your first transfer from GiveDirectly" he shouted. I was so happy, my hopes had been restored, I could afford to take my son back to school and put food on the table for my family. It was a happy moment.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Nowadays, I'm assured that I will receive transfers monthly and I'm nolonger worried that my children will be send home from school. At least I can talk to their headteacher to allow them stay in school as I promise the monthly transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I'm a casual labourer and getting jobs in farms during this dry seoson is an uphill task. When lucky, I would get either one or two jobs per week and I would earn an average of KES 200 per day. I had to provide my family with food and other necessities and this money isn't enough to pay all the bills and still pay school fees for my five school going kids. The very day I received the transfers, my oldest son who had fees arrears had been send home, we had not food for that day and I didn't have a single penny. I had hit the rock bottom and I didn't know who to turn to. The transfers came in handy for us when we needed them the most. I spent KES 600 to pay part of the fees arrears so that my son would be allowed back in school and KES 550 to buy food. I'm so grateful to GiveDirectly for coming through for us that day.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I work as a casual laborer to prepare my neighbors' farms within our village and the much I can earn in 2 weeks is utmost 1000 KES. This income is very little and it can not cater to my family's very basic needs like food and education. When I heard about the arrival of GiveDirectly to our village, the hope to educate my 5 children who are still in primary school got awakened. My plan is to ensure I invest much in livestock keeping and this means buying 1 goat every month at 2000 KES. Since goats multiply fast, I will be able to support my children once they join secondary schools. Hence this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It has been 4 months now since my family and I became christians. This has brought more joy to my life because we used to suffer from unusual diseases that have cost me a lot. When I decided to turn to God, my family is now stable and this is what has brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine being a casual laborer who prepares farms in our area where rains are no longer reliable! It has been a very hard time for me to support my family in terms of meeting some very basic needs like food and education. Since my work is not consistent my family has suffered a lot in getting meals and also in most cases, the children are sent out of school. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income is the challenge that I am currently facing.
