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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Paying school fees for my three children was the most pressing need that I had to prioritize before any other thing when I received my transfer. I also managed to extend some of the second transfer to buying construction materials that I am yet to use in the construction but now with a new future goal of buying a dairy cow. I am considering this a plan since I have sold all I had to pay school fees for my children who will soon be completing their studies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly support that was timely and independent in that no one would design our spending patterns apart from us was well executed. Having my children back in school after some months at home was a miracle to me. Everyone praises how the whole program was carried out without any bias or mischiefs in channeling to every individual since it was a direct transfer to an individual's account. Some of the members never received though and would always argue that GiveDirectly trusted other people's information at some points without doing a deeper investigation in the village. It would be good if GiveDirectly would engage each person in the future without relying so much on what other people say as this almost bought enmity amongst the vindicated members of the village.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of five children - all currently in various schools right from primary school and stretching to University. Meeting all their needs both financially and even the physical and emotional support has never been any easier for me. I am grateful that GiveDirectly support was timely in that it came right when the push to clear their school fees was on. After paying part with the first transfer, KES 35000 out of the second transfer still went to the clearance of the current semesters. They can now study in peace as I work hard on other income-generating projects to raise more for the coming terms. Back at home, I have been living in an old house with rusted iron sheets that I would keep tugging some polythene on the leaks that would otherwise let rainwater in. I managed though to spend the remaining KES 18000 on buying 14 iron sheets and 8 kilograms of roofing and framing nails that I am looking forward to using in the construction of a new spacious house for my family of six. I am one of the grateful mothers around for this generous support from GiveDirectly that gave me a chance of retaining my children who were on the verge of dropping out of their schools.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember it was around 9 am and I was in class teaching as I am an ECD teacher when I heard some students ululating and shouting in class. I dashed outside the classroom and one of the teachers informed me that the students were celebrating since they had been informed by their teacher that transfers from GiveDirectly had been sent. On hearing this, I quickly fished out my phone from my handbag and on reading the unread message that I had, my heart was filled with joy. With this money at my disposal, I knew that my daughter would finally sit for her examinations.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Lack of sleep has been my norm as I am always stressed up about how to get money to use in paying school fees for my children. Despite being employed, my salary is not enough to cater to all our needs as I am the breadwinner in my family and I have three children in college and two in secondary school. With the transfer from GiveDirectly, I was able to pay school fees for my daughter in college and I am glad and grateful to GiveDirectly for the support that I have received. Currently, my daily life has changed as I get to sleep well without worrying about so many things going on in life as I know that when God is with someone, he/she will never lack.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Paying school fees for my children has been an uphill task for me as I have three children in college and two in secondary school. I am an ECD teacher and my salary is not enough to pay their school fees and still meet our basic needs on time. On receiving my transfer, I spent KES 30000 to pay school fees for my daughter who is in college since she was almost sitting for her examinations and her fee arrears had to be cleared for her to be given an examination card. In addition, I spent KES 12000 to purchase sixteen pieces of iron sheets that I am planning to use in building a kitchen for my family since the roof to the one we have always leaks during the rainy season and spent KES 6000 on food. I still have KES 5000 that I am planning to use in commencing the construction process. I am grateful for the support that I received which has enabled me to achieve what seemed impossible before.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money would mean that my daughter clears her college education. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit she has had to discontinue her studies because I lost my job which was helping me to pay school fees for her. I am now more than happy to receive these transfers because she'll be able to go back to school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I wake up in the morning it is the happiest part of my day, because I am a single parent and I need to struggle alone most of the time to provide for my children. Every morning gives me hope of a better day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a parent it is always hard to see your children drop out of school and you are helpless about it. The biggest challenge has been to pay school fees for my child since I am a single parent and I don't have enough resources and or a stable income