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 ($465 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer is saving some of the money in merry go round group that we started in our village. This is good because it helps us whenever we want some money to pay the school fees for our children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses, pay school fees for their children and to purchase dairy cows is what GiveDirectly does well. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 7,000 on paying school fees for my two children, one in secondary school and the other one in primary school. I am so grateful because they are now studying well without being disturbed. They used to be sent home and this was affecting their performance in school. I saved KES 6,000 to pay for the next academic year for the two children. This has given me assurance that they will study well too. I paid KES 13,000 for my son who joined College his year. I am so happy because he was able to register and start his studies without any delay. This was also my main concern because he was just at home after clearing high school exams. I spent some amount on renovating my house to look decent, bought some sofa set seats, tables and food. The rest of the money I bought household items and saved some on the merry-go-round group that we have started in our village.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 8 am and I was on the farm tilling when I heard my phone ringing in my pocket. I decided to check it and I was hit by the pleasant surprise when I saw that it was an SMS indicating to me that I had received the lump sum transfer that GiveDirectly had promised. I was so happy that I hurriedly finished the work that I was doing and I went to prepare myself to go withdraw the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has brought a big difference in my life and that of my family. I now have a cow that provides me with milk and I no longer have to buy some. I have thus been able to save money that I can use on other important things. With part of the transfer, I was also able to buy some food that is going to sustain my family for a while. We, therefore, have something to eat and we no longer go hungry like some of the days when we lack money. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for making this possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the money that I got from GiveDirectly in buying a cow. I buy a litre of milk on daily basis and this is taking a toll on me financially. I have always wanted to buy a cow but due to lack of money, I have not been in a position to. The little money that I get from selling the onions and vegetables that I grow usually goes to the payment of school fees for my youngest child and the rest to the purchase of food. I am so glad that GiveDirectly thought of starting this program of helping the needy. May God bless you abundantly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always longed to own a dairy cow. I have been buying milk at a price of KES 40 which to me is expensive since I am a woman of very little means. My husband passed on more than 10 years ago. I have been borrowing dairy cows from neighbours and relatives but they usually take away from me to sell when they have got other needs to satisfy and this usually leaves me with nothing. This is the more reason I want to buy my own so that I can be assured of my future source of livelihood. My plan is to buy a dairy cow at a cost of KES 40000. I will use the extra money to buy chairs, a table and a cupboard.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Every day I involve myself in attending to my onions crops in the farm especially in the morning before the sun becomes strong and hotter. My happiest part of the day is in evening when my mind is relaxed and free of bustles of the day. I am a very staunch Seventh day adventist and I derive a lot of joy in the evening when I get to worship.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a widow. It is not an easy thing to fend for my family alone especially in putting food on the table. It is a tall order, every day is a struggle. I live each day from hand to mouth. Maize production is a thing of the past in this area since the outbreak of lethal maize necrosis disease. That is the biggest challenge I would say.
