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 ($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?
After starting the construction of a new permanent and durable house for the family. The goal that I still have at the moment is to continue remodelling our shelter which is yet to complete. I intend to save enough money from my charcoal vending activities to be able to complete the building in next few months.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I feel Givedirectly did well in helping us with the cash transfer program. Giving the opportunity and trusting every household to make individual choices on how to use the aid to better their living condition was a great idea. Through the transfer, our life in the village has positively improved. I feel every stage was well elaborated and there is nothing I feel the organization need to improve on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Owning a nice permanent house has always been our longing in life. For many years, we have been living in a small one-roomed house with my 8 children. Additionally, our house was about to collapse and it serves as the kitchen and bedroom at the same time. I spent a larger portion of recent transfers to continue the construction of a two-roomed permanent house for the family. I bought 16 bags of cement and paid the labour costs. Currently, I am happy to see the progress that I have been able to make in releasing my dream. In addition, I spent the remaining amount to purchase sufficient food for the family since we are currently experiencing drought and famine in our area.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 am while I was preparing myself for a journey when my daughter came in running while shouting happily. I almost slapped her for making noise but the last word she uttered made me reluctant of slapping. When she approached me she said “GiveDirectly.” I became curious of knowing why “GiveDirectly” and she showed me a message from the organization. Since I do not know how to read, she interpreted the information and it was the first transfer of KES 55000.00 which had been sent to my phone. My heart was filled with joy and happiness for receiving such a huge amount of money at once in my lifetime.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can testify to is being able to settle all the school fee balances which made my children be sent home for the same almost daily thus could not concentrate on their studies. I also managed to mark the start of building a permanent house by buying some building blocks. These materials will give me the urge of pushing more and open my mind to ways of getting money to fulfill my dream.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the priority was to settle school fee balances for my children so that they could have a smooth and conducive learning environment. Concerning that, I paid KES 10000.00 for my two secondary school children and KES 2400.00 for my four primary school children. Thereafter I bought some construction materials like blocks for KES 40000.00. The aim of buying the blocks is to construct a permanent house once I get the second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are a big family blessed with 9 children, 3 in secondary school, and one of my daughters finished secondary in 2020 and hasn't been able to clear with the previous school which includes picking her leaving and academic certificates, and this is Because there's is fee arrears that hasn't been paid that is amounting to 17,000 KSH. My husband Is a carpenter but since COVID-19 period he has been at home for lack of Job opportunities.
Upon receiving the first transfer of 55,000 KSH I plan to clear her school fees and secure her form four certificate. Where she will be able to apply for a teaching course,we want to set a good example that other young girls can emulate, that education is everything that make one successful.
By her being employed we will have a stable source of income, to overcome the challanges we face today.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Seeing my daughter finishing secondary education still gives me a lot of joy and hope that she will bring us a lot of blessings when she gets a descent job.
Secondly despite everyday challanges, seeing my family wake up healthy, and happy that only makes me great
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I walk long distances like 1 hour walk to and from to get 1 jerricans of water, which costs 10 KSH, and a day we need like 10 jerricans for washing, cooking, and drinking. So everyday we need to have 100 KSH, which is not possible because nobody is employed and we depend on charcoal burning Business, which at the moment the business is not picking at all.
My husband also is a trained carpenter, but is not fully employed because of lack of opportunities, so it's a challenge for him to provide basic needs of the family.
