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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($430 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization calling and asking how I have been and also confirmed if I have received my transfer. GiveDirectly staff are polite and I am happy to be associated with them.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I did not complete my secondary education due to lack of school fees and getting a job has been hard. My long-term goal is to save money and do a tailoring course that will enable me to cater to my family's needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before the transfer, I was living in a house made of grass, rodents and snakes were always finding their way to the house. I sell porridge in the village. I get $1.5 as the profit in a day which helps me buy food for my family. My husband is a guard at a school nearby getting a wage of $5 a day which helps pay school fees for my two children. Receiving this money has enabled me to build a three-roomed house for which I spent $400, paid school fees for $10, and bought two goats for $60 that I would sell whenever I need money.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent almost KES 45000 of my first cash transfer on purchasing several building materials which include; building poles, nails, iron sheets, and all the labour charges. I had intended to construct a new house because the initial one was very small and in very poor condition. It could hardly accommodate all my three family members which have been stressing me for so long. Additionally, I cleared fees of KES 3000 for my son who recently joined the school and I was worried that he could be sent home anytime as a result of the arrears. I am glad he is now studying peacefully without any hiccups. With the remaining cash, I bought foodstuffs for my family that has been serving us for the last three weeks.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been married for four years and I have been facings lots of hardships, especially on the issue of shelter. For all that period I have been sheltering under a small hut which was grass thatched. During the rainy seasons, it was so stressful because I was forced to move from one compound to the other in search of a place to shelter. This has been the most frustrating and embarrassing moment in my life because some of my members used to call me names. I had however been aspiring to construct a better house but because of the financial constraints that I was undergoing, I could not afford it. My spouse has been the breadwinner and the little he earns on a good day ( KES 150) was only for the daily bread. Therefore after receiving the cash building the house had to be a priority and I am so glad that this was accomplished. As a family, we are so grateful because currently, we are happily living in a decent spacious house. I do not have to worry about insecurities and the harsh weather.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 7 in the evening when I was relaxing with my family after having our dinner when I heard my phone vibrating so loudly. I was shocked because I was not expecting to hear from anyone at that particular moment. However, upon checking the notification, I realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and after sharing the news with my other family members, they could as well not hold their happiness. We finally knew that we would acquire a better house that we have been yearning to construct for years.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Dropping in form 1 was not my choice. Parental financial instability made me look for alternative means of survival, a boyfriend, but my option was short lived for within three months of relationship, I got impregnated. Hopelessly, I found my way into marriage. My husband agreed to take me back to school after delivery but needless to say, if wishes were pounds, I could testify. For over three years, I have slept on my dream, each dawning day seem not to dim any light of hope. Looking at my husband struggling to make ends meet has arose my desire to also starting working so that jointly we could raise the family but financial constraints have not made it through.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was granted a one day job of winnowing beans at the local primary school where I earned 100 KES. This was about two months ago. I spent the cash in buying wheat flour and other ingredients which helped me in making porridge for sale. It is with great joy that my business picked well, the demand is more than what I supply. The 100 KES I make every day has salvaged me from begging every coin from my husband.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Working as a watchman, my husband earns 7 000KES per month which can be translated to about 240 KES a day. Weighed against the family daily expenditure of approximately 300 KES a day, his salary cannot take us through a month. This has led us into slavery of debts. In the quest to help him, I started selling wheat porridge, about 4litres a day which makes a profit of 100 KES. The transfers will help me in boosting the small scale business, first I need to erect a structure where I will be running the business, with 10 000 KES I will make it done. Secondly I will increase the daily production to about 20 litres (this will cost about 5 000 KES) yielding to about 500 KES profit which will be able to cover my family basic needs as well as make savings for my children.
