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 ($420 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 first born child is currently in his form three level while the second born has just joined secondary school. I am staring at a future where I will have to dig deeper into my pockets in order to pay school fees for my chiildren. This shall be my focus in the coming year and beyond where I will be saving money from my small business to be able to do this. My long term goal is to buy a piece of land especially from the livestock that I now own. This , I plan to implement once I have all of my children out of secondary school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does very well by giving out cash transfers as a form of aid. This to me is the most wonderful thing they could think of. By respecting the fact that we have varying needs means that we were given the freedom to spend the money in things that would benefit us a lot. I look forward towards seeing many more people benefit like I did and we have a better society left for us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my second transfer recently, I used $200 to pay school fees for my children and used another $100 to buy a heifer. I then used another $70 to clear debts that had accumulated over time. Being a single mother of four who depends largely on casual labour to earn some income, things have not been very easy for me and my family. I have had to rely on small business and odd casual jobs to earn a living and paying school fees for my children has been one toll order for me. I felt happy and lucky to have been part of the people benefitting from this program and will forever be invented for what it has done in my life. Debts that had stayed for a long time without being cleared is now settled and I cannot explain the amount of joy that came with this.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
We were all seated in the living room enjoying breakfast as a family, then suddenly I heard my phone ringing. On checking, I saw a text showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly. This was the best news that we had received that early morning, I was overjoyed and grateful for the support that I was positive that it would transform our living standards. I then embarked on planning how I would spend my money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to accomplish my dreams in a short period. Buying a dairy cow for my family is a lifetime achievement and a great milestone that I never thought that I would have accomplished in a short time due to financial constraints. I am grateful for the support that brought so much joy and happiness in our lives and also for uplifting our lives amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer and a casual worker blessed with three children. When I received my money I opted to buy a dairy cow worth KES 38,000 to reduce the cost of buying milk daily. This is because we have been buying milk daily which is expensive yet I don't have a reliable source of income. I was unable to afford one before due to financial constraints as a result of school fees responsibilities. I then used KES 10,000 on paying school fees for my children. Lastly, I bought foodstuffs and clothes with the remaining amount of the transfer. I am so grateful for the milestones that I have achieved in a short time.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It is so sad that my two sons are still sleeping with the neighbor's children. This is because I can not afford to build them a house. I depend on weeding my neighbor's farm to earn a living, making me earn KES 100 daily. This money is not sustainable for us, this pushes me to plan KES 60000 to build a three-roomed house made of iron sheets. This will make me happy as I will be able to live with my children in one compound and monitor their behavior. Milk is a nutritious and stable food for my children. I will therefore consider using KES 30000 to buy a dairy cow. This will not only help us produce milk for domestic use but also support the family financially through the sale of surplus milk. With the remaining money, I will buy food and clothing for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I managed to pay and clear school arrears in January for my son in Roborwo Secondary school. This gave me happiness and peace of mind as I see my child study without being sent home to collect fees.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am struggling to pay school fees and put food on the table for my household. I usually earn KES 100 from my wedding job. This money is not sufficient to support us.
