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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am glad that I now have livestock as a result of these transfers. I got two heifers and three sheep and for me these has been my great achievement. I didn't have any livestock before but now I have some which incase of an emergency, I would sell some to cushion myself financially.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I can say that GiveDirectly did well by supporting us at this time. It was hard to raise money for food and school fees due to effects of pandemic.
On what GiveDirectly does, there was nothing which wasn't done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The second transfers which I received from GiveDirectly, I spent KES 30000 on paying school fees for my children who are in high school. I spent another KES 15000 on buying three sheep for rearing. The rest of the cash, I spent on buying foodstuffs for my family. I bought items like cooking oil, tea leaves, rice and maize.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My phone was off at the time the SMS was sent. I usually switch it off at night to save power and I forgot to switch it on in the morning. At around 10.00 am is when I switched it on and to my surprise I found the SMS saying that I had received the lump sum transfer of 55000/= from GiveDirectly. I was extremely excited about seeing this, my husband was not around at that time and hence I celebrated with my children who were happy to hear that we had received the fortune. They started even telling me that I should remember to buy new clothes for them. When my husband came back later, I told him the good news and he was so happy to hear this. We gave thanks to God and GiveDirectly for blessing us in such a manner.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This transfer has transformed our lives. Having paid the college fees for my son, I no longer have thoughts on where I am going to get money to do that. I feel much better like a heavy load has been taken off my shoulder. The transfer also enabled us to buy the two calves, which has been the investment that we have always wanted. We will take care of the two calves and when they grow and reproduce, we will be able to get milk that our children can consume and we can sell some. The money from milk sales will help us with other important things. Also, with time when these calves have grown, they will multiply in number and we can sell some of the offsprings and invest the money on other things.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfer from GiveDirectly has helped me a lot. I bought two calves with part of the money. I also paid college fees for my son. The reason why I decided to settle on buying the two calves is that I wanted to invest in something that will help me in the future. I hence saw the idea of having the calves as my investment as a great idea because when they grow and start reproducing, they will bring a lot of benefits to me. I was not in a position to make this investment before because I did not have the money to do so. Most of the money that I have been getting has been going to the payment of school fees for my two children. Thank you GiveDirectly for making this possible.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a parent who attaches so much value to the education of my children. I did not get the chance to go to school during my time and that is why I want to give my children the best. I have 5 children who are in various schools, 3 in college and 2 in high school. Having them all in school at the same time is very expensive. I pay a total of 130000 shillings for those in college and 25000 shillings for the ones in high school every single term. Raising that kind of money has never been easy. I am always forced to take loans from various financial institutions which are very costly to repay because of high-interest rates. At the moment, I have an active loan of 50000 shillings at Equity Bank. Receiving this money will be a big sigh of relief to me as it will help me clear my outstanding loan.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I derive happiness from my mornings. Every time I wake up healthy and strong gives me so much happiness. I am hopeful that amid all the challenges, there is God in heaven who will deliver us from all these and make us victorious in the long run.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In this area, we solely depend on farming as the main source of livelihood. This region receives the lowest amount of rainfall in the entire county of Bomet. This is hurting us as every year we are left counting losses. In the year 2018, for instance, I managed to get only 2 sacks of maize from the 1.5 acres piece of land that I farm. This just a drop in the sea considering that I have 5 children to feed.
