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 ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After accomplishing most of my goals such as owning livestock and starting a small shop business, a reliable source of income for myself. My new goal is to complete the renovation of my house which I started but failed to complete due to lack of enough finances.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well for coming with unconditional cash transfer program where everyone had the right to decide what to do with the aid. In addition, I was able to own a Mobile phone which softened my communication in the society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to start goat rearing by purchasing 4 goats for KES 16,000. This is a long-term investment for the family, I will be able to sell them whenever I face any financial emergency. In addition, I used KES 8000 to educate my 3 children who are still school but are always at home due to fee problem. Lastly, used KES 13000 to started a small kiosk business in my house, I currently sell maize flour, salts, sugar, tea leaves, and seasonings.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While washing my children’s clothes at around 9am, my phone rang in the house. I told my son to go for it and confirm what message had been received. My son came out running and I was astonished what the matter was only to say, “You have received some money from GiveDirectly.” Even though I don’t know how to read but the happiness I felt made me to tell him to show me the message so that I can see the money though I clearly knew there was nothing I could understand.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is being able to settle the school fee issues for both the son who is in school though he was on and off due to fees, and the daughter who was lamenting for missing out so many chances of part-time jobs for not having her results slip and the other certificates which were held at her former school due to the fee arrears she had.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I was struggling on sourcing for some money for my children school fees, I took KES 10000.00 and paid for my son who is in secondary school. I also took KES 11000.00 and paid fee arrears for my daughter who completed her secondary education but she couldn’t get her result slip and other certificates due to the fee balance she had. After settling the 2 main issues that were giving me sleepless nights, I bought some school uniforms for my 2 primary school children amounting to KES 1200.00.
Thereafter I bought a bed and a mattress for KES 12600.00 and a cooking pot for KES 500.00. I used the remaining amount in starting a small business of selling some foodstuff so thati can have an income generating activity.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will expand my business.I am doing a retail shop business which is doing well but the problem is my is very small making the business not growing .Receiving this money means I will expand my business to be bigger so that I can earn a good profit.I will spend 20,000 KES to buy more stock and increase variety of household goods so that I can lure more customers and also make more profit. I have a fee balance of 30,000 KES which I need to clear so that my son can have astable time to take his studies in secondary school.I will spend 30,000 KES to repair and plaster my house with cement to make it more durable and also have cemented floor.I will spend the rest on food and uniform to my young children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning after feeding my children and seeing them leave the house going to school.This is the happiest part of the day because I know my children have gone to school and have taken food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is food insecurity in my house for years. We have been having drought persistence for over 10 years of which no farming activity has survived. I was practicing cattle farming but due to the prolonged drought my animals all died and left me with nothing as wealthy.This is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.
