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 ($438 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I do not have any new goals now. My main focus is to save some money from the small business that I do to be in a position to pay school fees for my children in various secondary.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The majority of the people in the village were able to start dairy-keeping projects and build a decent and spacious house. This was not possible before because there was money. I did not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It is the dream of every parent to see their children get the best education. I have two children in secondary school. I spent $300 on paying for their school fees. They used to be sent home and this was affecting their performance in school since they would miss some of the lessons. Currently, they are studying well without being sent home like before. I wish to see a better performance this academic year. I rely on small-scale farming and this is majorly for consumption, I run a small business of selling second-hand shoes. The profits that I get from this are only for basic household needs. I was not in a position to pay all the school fees on time. I spent $140 on purchasing two sacks of maize and sofa set seats. I had built a better house but I did not have the seats, I am so grateful because whenever I have visitors they have decent seats to sit on. The remaining amount of money I spent on other basic household Items that we were missing. GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6.51pm while relaxing at home when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES55000. I and my kids were extremely happy and that night we couldn't help but look at the GiveDirectly message over and over again. I withdrew the money the next day and used it to clear school fees.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is starting my own second hand clothes business which a daily income source for my family. From the business, on a good day I make a profit of KES1500 and on a bad day KES700. I had desired to start this business for the past two years but couldn't afford and used to rely on my late husband who was a casual laborer then. Through the transfers, there is availability of adequate food for my family and I have managed to clear school fees which was quite a struggle especially after the loss of my husband a year ago.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES19000 on clearance of last term's school fees and this term's fees.I spent KES10000 on starting a second hand clothes business and right now the business is booming because I earn on a daily basis.I also spent KES14000 on repayment of debts and food.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Each year I have to pay over KES 30000 as fees for two of my seven children are at secondary school. This is a tough task for me since I am a widow who relies on menial jobs such as weeding to make a living. As such, receiving this money means that I shall be relieved of some of the tedious jobs in the coming year. I will use KES 30000 as school fees. Also, I will purchase a cow costing approximately KES 40000 since we have a calf that will take a while to mature. Having a mature cow will be a priceless investment because it shall get us milk for consumption and sale of any surpluses to gain some income. Besides, our wealth will grow when the cow reproduces. Finally, I will utilize any remaining amount of completing our new house and purchasing some furniture.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Following the demise of my husband, his agemates made some financial donations. We used the money (approximately KES 30000) on purchasing a young cow and building a bigger house. This attracted lots of happiness to my family because we had no livestock and we were living in a congested house. Though the house is yet to be completed (doors and windows are yet to be fixed) due to lack of funds, at least we have more space for shelter.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a widow and a casual laborer, fending for my family and educating my children is a tough task. Even so, these jobs, especially weeding, are scarce in our area. On a good day, I would get an income of about KES 300. This amount is so meager based on the demands and needs of my family of 8. I lost my husband about a year ago, someone who used to be our main breadwinner. Since then, life has never been easy and I feel that my family is leading a substandard lifestyle.
