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?
It was on a Friday at 3 PM, and I was at home relaxing when I heard a message notification on my phone. Since I didn't know how to read, I handed the phone to my daughter and asked her to read the message. When she told me it was from GiveDirectly, I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. To be sure, I asked my friend to confirm the message, and she did. Overjoyed, I immediately called my husband, who was in Kilifi, and he shared my happiness. My mind quickly turned to the relief that this money would bring, especially in paying my daughter's school fees, allowing her to return to school after being at home for so long due to the lack of money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference I've noticed in my life is that I now own a cow, which is an asset I had always wanted but never thought I could afford. This cow not only provides a sense of security for my family but also a potential source of income in the future. Additionally, I have been able to pay for my children's school fees consistently. Before, they would often be sent back home because I couldn't afford the fees, but now they attend school without interruption. This brings me immense relief and joy to see them getting their education without such hurdles and I cannot be grateful enough for GiveDirectly's support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the cash transfer, I immediately used KES 2000 to pay my daughter's school fees. She is in Form 2 and had been sent home because of unpaid fees. I want her to continue with her education without any interruptions, as I believe it's crucial for her future. I then used $150 to buy a heifer, which I know will be a valuable asset for my family of five children. The heifer will eventually provide milk and can be a source of additional income, helping to support my family in the long term. Burning charcoal is my main source of income, and having the heifer will diversify our resources and offer some financial stability. With the remaining money, I paid $70 towards the school fees arrears for my four children in primary school. This relieved a significant burden, as I want all my children to have access to education. I then used the rest of the money to buy household food items since we had run out of food supply. Buying maize flour, rice, and baking flour has ensured that my children can now go to school well-fed and without worrying about their next meal.
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving this money would fulfill my desire to build a second house($300) for my family. With 5 grown children under the same structure currently, my husband and I do not have the privacy and dignity we deserve. With the rest of the amount,I would spend $100 for my children's education and $60 to buy 3 young goats which would have multiplied after a few years to become a major investment.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was happy to hear from my husband a few days ago that he has plans to take our daughter back to school. Dorcas, our first born is yet to join secondary school, 7 months after completing her primary education due to lack of funds. But when my husband told me a friend of his would lend him $50, it brought me so much happiness to imagine my child's future with a ray of hope.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My 4 children are yet to report to school, a week after the opening date. Moreover, my first born daughter failed to join secondary school in January this year, due to lack of finances to pay their fee. $70 would change this hardship but I am jobless. The $20 I earn from charcoal burning in a month can barely sustain my family of 7 with food, let alone other basic necessities and education.
