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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($421 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My biggest dream is to offer my kids a better life than i have had. If i can see them complete their education and be able to earn an honest living, i will have done my part. I also dream of a day where they will be able to take care of me and their father, Thanks to the opportunities we offered them via education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly excels at offering new beginnings and fulfilling dreams. If it were not for them, I would have taken years to make the strides I have with their funds. They truly excel at changing lives and have for myself, my family and our entire village.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the help of Givedirectly, I was able to purchase a female heifer. I paid the $140 that it cost me right away. Given that the cow will produce milk for sale and domestic use, it is a wise purchase. I run a hotel where i offer baked goods like scones and tea. I only pay my one employee $1 per day of labor and she only works on Mondays. Despite slow labor right now, I made $2. My spouse returned to college to pursue a degree in building and construction using an H.E.L.B loan, government education grant. Because of our shared financial difficulties, I made the decision to put aside money for the kids school expenses. There are four of us. The senior is a student at the university studying software engineering the second child is enrolled in secondary school, while the third and fourth are in primary school. The money from Givedirectly have completely improved our circumstances.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($473 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in a village meeting at around 8:00 am when I received a message together with the other village members, who had also received the money. Together with our village elders, we were so excited and could not afford to miss a moment to celebrate together amidst and after the meeting. I went straight home after the meeting to inform my husband, who was equally excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The most significant difference in my daily life is the relief I have after paying the tuition fees and offsetting the huge arrears for my two sons in secondary school. Even though I could not clear the entire amount, it is a good feeling since I paid a larger part of it, and it will be easier to clear it when my son will be picking up his certificates.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It was a relief receiving the first transfer that paid a huge part of the school fees arrears and the current tuition fees for my two sons. I spent KES 30000 on paying arrears for my son in form four, and also KES 10000 for the form three sons. In addition, I spent KES 3500 on sawing timber and purchased iron sheets worth KES 8500 in preparation to construct a new kitchen. Previously, I had been using an extension for our main house. I spent part of the remaining amount on buying maize that we are using with my family of six and the remaining on buying a cellphone for m,y son worth KES 10000 after topping it up with my savings.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
To make a living I majorly depend on a small business in a nearby market. I love it since it has enabled me to buy a small piece of land, meet the needs of my daily household and educate my children. I am a mother of four with all in various secondary and primary schools. My biggest ambition is to have my children get education which I did not. This cash transfer to me means the achievement of my ambition. I intend to use KES 46000 to settle school fees. I am certain once I complete this, my children will have ample time to study thus attain good grades. This will enable them to join various colleges which will open job opportunities for them later. I will be relaxed given that I will only have to oversee my daily household expenditures.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a mother peace, love and harmony and good health among my family are all I wish for. In the last six months, I thank God he made all this available to us. I have had a peaceful mind which has given me the power to meet other family needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is my major challenge. Though, I run a small business enjoying a profit of KES 300 a day. I spent approximately KES 200 on my daily household meaning I remain with KES as a saving. I have various needs ranging from farm inputs to children's education making my income too little to cater for all of them. I hardly save for my future needs.
