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 ($492 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?
My life is different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I no longer walk for a long distance looking for clean water for domestic use. Also, I got good harvest this year that will last us till next harvesting season. This is because I was able to practice timely cultivation and used quality hybrid seeds. Due to this, I am glad that we will always have enough food and our daily expenditure will greatly reduce.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent around KES 13000 on a solar panel and battery. With this, my children will be able to study in the evening without any disturbances. Also, I purchased a water tank worth KES 18000 so that I can be using it to harvest rain water for drinking and domestic use. In addition, to this, I cleared school fee arrears for my children using the remaining amount. I am now glad since they will not be sent back home to collect school fees the all of this year.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was almost 2 pm and I was at home having lunch with my children when I heard an SMS notification on my mobile phone. I decided to check it and I could not believe my eyes when I saw the message indicating that we had received the first transfer of 55000/= from GiveDirectly. I jumped up with joy and my children asked me what was going on. I told them that we had received the money that GiveDirectly had promised us. They were so happy to hear this and they started asking me to promise to buy them shoes and clothes. I was so happy and I promised them everything that they were requesting. I then prepared myself and I went to withdraw the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This transfer has brought a big difference in my life and that of my family. I have been able to build another kitchen that is bigger and roofed with iron sheets. There is more room now and my children are now able to sleep well and study well. Studying in the old kitchen has been hectic for them since the space was small and there was so much smoke. The new kitchen house has also enabled us to look like the rest of our neighbors who have houses roofed with iron sheets. Having paid school fees for my children, I no longer have stress about where I am to get money to do so. My children will also be able to study well and they will no longer have to be sent home due to school fees arrears. They are also happy that they got new clothes just as I had promised them. The food that I bought will sustain us for a while and I will hence not be having any worries about what my children are to eat for some time. Thank you GiveDirectly for making this possible. May God bless you.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfer from GiveDirectly has helped me a lot. I have been able to build a new kitchen house that I have always wanted to have. I was also able to pay school fees for my children with part of the money and buy food and clothes for them. I have always had the desire to build another kitchen because the one that I have been having is small, old, and is grass-thatched. I hence felt the desire to have a new one that is iron-roofed. I have been struggling with the payment of school fees for my children and hence when I got the lump sum transfer, I decided to use it in paying for my children’s school fees. I depend on small scale farming as my source of livelihood and income. Most of the little money that I have been getting from farming has been going to the purchase of food and part of it to payment of school fees.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean quality education for my 4 School going children. My aspiration has always to give my children the best education and improve their future life. I have 2 children in secondary level and 1 in Primary level yet their school fees is extremely high. The one's in Secondary level, I pay Ksh 80,000 yearly for both keeping in mind the fact that I am a widow and raising them single handedly is an uphill task. Educating my children using the transfer from Give Directly is a sigh of relief to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day entails working in my 0.5 acres of land where I have grown maize during morning hours and use my afternoon doing household chores. This will take me until late in the evening after fetching water and firewood for my family. Having time to rest while preparing supper for my household is the best feeling as a parent. This makes evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life. Raising a family of 4 single handedly is tough and meeting their needs particularly education expenses is more challenging. I have two children in secondary level and one in Primary level and getting School fees of Ksh 80,000 a year has caused both mental and physical turmoil. Even though I have 0.5 acres of land under cultivation where I grow maize, I harvest approximately 4 bags which is hardly enough to cater for them. My future plan is to start a small business in order to supplement from what I get from the land and give my children the best education. This will also bring a feeling of fulfillment as a parent.
