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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am a middleman between people who want to sell livestock and those who want to buy. I sometimes go for days without getting any deal. During these days, I do any available casual work in the neighborhood. I have five children, two will be sitting for their KCSE examinations this year while two of them will be sitting for their KCPE examinations and the eldest is in college. It has always been my wish to see them through their studies and because of this, I do not have any additional goals for now since I am even planning to have an harambee so that I can raise funds for their education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly sends money directly to people and has no connections with political parties. They do not restrict on what one can spend the transfers on and they do not expect anything in return. Their officers were polite and attended to people till they are satisfied and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My mother was sick and had been admitted to the hospital when I received my second transfer. A sum of KES 52000 was needed and after a dialogue with my brother, we decided to divide the bill into two. With this agreement, I spent KES 26000 on the hospital bill and spent the remaining KES 27000 on burial expenses since she passed away after a few days.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9am. I was taking my goats for grazing. When I heard a ringtone message from my phone. When I checked it out I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. I immediately rushed to inform my family members. They were so happy too. I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school. This was my main focus that time. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has enabled us to fulfilled our dreams.
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 paid school fees for my two children in secondary school. This was my main focus because my children were being sent home to collect the school fees. This was so demoralizing and stressful because they could stay home for quite some time because I didn't had the money. Their performance were affected because the lessons were going on. My first priority was the school fees to ensure that my children are happy and studying well. I depend on casual jobs and small scale farming. I have also joined a village saving group. This gives us some loans to pay the school fees. They money that I would get through the casual jobs is so small and were only for food and other basic needs. I was not able to save some money. Currently my children are in school and I hope to see better performance come the end of the term. I have peace of mind to do my daily activities at home. GiveDirectly has changed our living standards and enable us to educate our children and do investment. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school. I am so happy because they are now studying well without being sent home like before. I purchased a dairy cow at a cost of KES 25,000.This has enabled me to cut the daily cost of buying milk. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I purchased a solar for lighting. My children are able to do their assignment and homework well. Finally I bought food and clothes for all my family members. We are so grateful for the support because were it not GiveDirectly all this could not have happened.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means quality education for my children. I have seven children, Two at secondary level, Three will be doing their primary 8 exam's this year. I have school fees arrears of KES 40,000. When I get the transfer I will spend KES 70,000 in clearing fees balance and paying extra 2 years. The remaining amount KES 30,000 I will buy a Dairy cow for the family and the remaining will go for foodstuffs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I get to have light moments in the evenings with my children before we sleep, Thus making evening the happiest part of my day being close to my children and seeing them happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is a lack of finances. I live in a very dry area with low rainfall. For the last 8 years, we have experience low amount of rainfall in the area thus planting crops has been an uphill task since you havest nothing by the end of the season. The only thing I depend on is casual jobs. As a casual laborer, I earn KES 200 a day, which goes to buying food only. I live a hand to mouth life every day. This means I never get a chance to do any other family developments and that makes me feel very bad a the Man of the house.