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 ($462 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?
I would like to build a new house that will accommodate my seven children and four grandchildren. After the death of my daughter, it forced me to take care of my grandchildren. Immediately they moved in, the house we were living in became too small to accommodate all of us, forcing some of my children to seek accommodation from neighbors.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly has helped needy people in our village by providing the unconditional transfers. I through the transfers that many have invested in and uplifted the condition of their lives. I would recommend that the organization check on the timing of the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband works a mason. He does not work daily because of the scarcity of jobs. Less work translates to low pay. This then becomes a challenge for him to provide for the family (wife, 7 children and 4 grandchildren). I depend on the farm, growing crops for sale, but because of the drought, that is no longer possible. With the enormous family, we all live in a tiny house, forcing some of my elder children to spend their night at a neighbor's place. I spent a huge portion of the funds to build a two bedroomed house that will accommodate the 11 children. This will restore my dignity and face of my family as a responsible parent. Besides building the house, I spent the rest of the money in buying food for the family. Some of my children and grandchildren showed some signs of malnutrition because of poor feeding habits occasioned by poor financial state we were in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in my house sweeping that morning when I heard a message notification on my phone. I could not understand the Mpesa sms that I saw, I had to call one of my children who had not gone to school. He confirmed it was the transfer which I been waiting from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy since my desire of supporting the education of the children was about to be achieved. We celebrated and thanked GiveDirectly for fulfilling their promises.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is I am living stress free after completing the fee arrears for my 7 children. My husband and I depend on temporary casual activities which earns us KES 300 per day in totality, this income was not enough to meet the basic necessities like food and clothing for our family of 9. This forced my children to be on and off of school due to fee problems something that stressed us as parents.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25000 to support the education of my 7 children, 2 in secondary school and the others are in primary school. This is because they had a huge fee balance and I lacked money to support them. I also invested KES 22500 in livestock rearing by purchasing one indigenous dairy cow and one goat this is a reliable source of livelihood for the family. I will be able to sell milk to earn a living which I will use to cater for my daily needs like food. The remaining amount assisted me in paying medical bills for my brother-in law who was admitted in hospital.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a stable source of income for my household. To ensure this materializes, I intend to start livestock keeping especially indigenous dairy cows that will be producing milk for sale. This will mean a consistent income for my family, unlike as of today, where my husband is a casual laborer and his income is very minimal. In most cases, we skip some meals. I, therefore, plan to invest $600 on this project to get 3 cows. The remaining amount will support me to cater to other basic needs like food, clothing, and education for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day because, at this time, I get relaxed from the day's household chores. Unlike during the day when I get tired of farm work and the general household activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife and I entirely depend on my husband to provide for our basic needs. Considering that he works as a casual laborer and his daily income is usually for food. We lack even to save some coins for the future of our children. This stresses me most since I am worried about how I can support my children's education especially the one who is in form 3. Hence, financial instability is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
