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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($421 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I only ask God for one thing every day and that is good health and strength to work hard so that I can earn enough money to keep my children in school. The only thing I want right now is for all of my children to graduate from high school and achieve their dreams. I believe that they will look back and sincerely thank me for everything I have done for them after they have achieved their life's objectives, they will be in a position to help me and eradicate all the low life we live in right now. I work from 6 am to 6 pm every day for a salary of $50 a month, which is not even enough for me to save and start any new business as of now, so I just work hard in my work thanking God for it all.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is a blessed organization because it has given me financial assistance that enabled my son to join school. If it were not for GiveDirectly my son will still be at home while his mates in school studying. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for everything. I sincerely do appreciate.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother who works as a house help and earns $50 a month. I have six children; four of them are boys and the other two are girls. The only thing that gives me joy is watching my children work hard in school to achieve all their lives objectives. The moment I received my transfers, the first thing that crossed my mind was getting my children ready for school. My son had completed his class eight so I took $320 and enrolled him in high school and I also spent $120 on my daughter who is in her final year of high school. The remaining amount of $90 I spent on buying food for my children who are at home and I ensured they ate well that month.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was say around 7pm on a weekday. I had plugged my phone into the charger and forgot about it, went about my house chores and the likes. Upon switching my phone on, the messages came swarming in, one of them being an M-pesa notification stating that the funds from GiveDirectly had been received on my end. I jumped up, in excitement, and gave thanks to God for both the money and the blessing that is GiveDirectly. I had sent my daughter to the shop and upon her return, even she could see the happiness on my face. The money meant a lot to me, living in Ganze - Kilifi, since it would allow me to do so much that I would have been unable to do prior the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Trying to express the impact of the funds from GiveDirectly in words, written or spoken, is beyond me. Primarily because I hadn't in my wildest dream envisioned ever being blessed to the degree to which GiveDirectly did financially. I work as a nanny, taking care of a 2 year old and earning Kes. 3,000 per month in salary. I was accustomed to struggling to make ends meet. School fees for my 6 kids, 4 boys and 2 girls, food and keeping a roof over our heads, were just a few of the countless expenses which gave me sleepless nights as I wondered how I could cover them with my meager earnings. The funds from GiveDirectly gave me respite from this and allowed me to ensure we comfortable could afford breakfast, lunch and dinner, a proposition that was daunting prior to the funds coming through. In a nutshell, GiveDirectly gave me peace of mind and have allowed me to hold my head up high, knowing I can provide for my family for the period the funds will last for. I am eternally thankful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The funds could not have come at a better time. My daughter starts secondary school in April, and with that comes a whole host of expenses. Part of the funds went to buying fabric to sew her uniform for Form 1. Uniform is a large expense when it comes to making sure that ,as a student, she is set up for the start of her secondary education. Purchasing the fabric and making the uniform myself is a lot cheaper than buying ready - made gear. She reports to Bale Secondary School, and as part of the requirements, I also bought her a basin, bucket, sheets for her bed, a box to keep her stuff in etc, all of which are in her admission letter as 'must haves'. The reminder of Kes. 18, 000 is still on my phone. I intend to keep it to help me with the logistics of getting her to the school, which is here in Kilifi, and paying part, if not all of her fees for the 1st term.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Am grateful for this opportunity that give directly has accorded me. I have struggled as a single mother of seven for over fifteen years. I worked as a househelp in Mombasa for 5 years then moved to Ganze and worked as a casual labourer in Komaza. It's very tough balancing responsibilities as both their father and mother especially on matters on school fees, their daily food, clothing and even moral support.
Upon receiving this first transfer, I plan to use part of it to do shopping for my 2 children, who have just finished their KCPE exam, and are planning to join secondary education. And I plan to pay school fees for elder daughter who is in form 4.
On the second transfer I plan to, build one more room for my 4 sons , because according to our traditions I cannot share my house with them. It's not easy bonding with them because they only come during supper and leave as they are sharing a sleeping space with their cousins outside the compound.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past six months, no one has been sick in the family and am thankful to God for waking me up healthy.
Whenever I see my children jovial and playful, I don't take it for granted because I know Almighty has great plans for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
All my school going children are always chased out of school for lack of school fees, and it has become a routine. No weeks pass by without any of them being at home, this affects their performance in school.
I find it tough providing basic needs for all my children especially food. Mostly we are used to eat once or twice a day or sometimes I go hungry for their sake.
I cannot afford to take my children to hospital whenever they are sick, because I don't have savings so mostly I have to use herbs to cure them or ask for help from my neighbors.
