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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On confirming the receipt of the transfer that morning from GiveDirectly, I was excited and thankful that I would initiate the projects I had been planning since I was enrolled in the program. It was a quarter past nine as I was still feeding the cows in their shed. On showing my wife who was also home at the moment, she was overjoyed as she could not look at me on the face as she was getting emotionally moved. This was such a timely blessing to my household as we had been having a lot of plans that only insufficient financing could not allow us to initiate.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the first transfer is having my children settled in school. They had been facing a lot of challenges especially during the examination period as their schools have been strict on clearing school fees before sitting for any paper. I am grateful and at peace now that they can't be sent out of their classes for the whole term.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Working with a diesel-powered power saw has been an interesting experience to me as it has always been the main source of income for my family of five. I had been hiring it out at times but in most cases, many people have been paying for my services whenever they have some trees to cut down. On receiving the first transfer, I spent KES34000 on paying school fees for my three children - two in college and one currently in secondary school. I needed to clear the pending sum so that they may end their semesters without being sent home. With the remaining KES20000, I obtained a plastic tank that is currently useful in collecting rainwater from the roof. This has saved me the cost and time of collecting water every day from the stream three kilometers away from home.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I want to buy a thank. In our area we have water shortage. River is our source of water and it is far from my household. The water we get from the river is not even safe for drinking. Also i have children in different schools and they have arrears.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when my Children have gone to school knowing i have cleared there school fees
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship has been financial constraints. It has been hard paying for their school fees. I once bought a power saw but it broke down. So we do farming but it has since then been unpredictable with weather changes.
