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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53010 KES ($396 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My objective for this year is to pay off my school fee arrears and pay the whole amount for the entire year so that my three secondary school children can attend school on a consistent basis.
School costs have been one of the biggest restraints in my family, and I have been unable to do much other than try to settle school fee arrears, which has been extremely frustrating for us and even more so to my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I appreciate how Give Directly allows everyone who qualifies for the transfers to be responsible for how they use the funds, and I would like to encourage the organization to be more intentional about training the community on better and more sustainable business practices that they can implement, so that the impact of this cash can be seen even years later.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used approximately $200 of my transfers to complete the house I began with my first transfers, and the remaining $330 went to farming. I was able to fence my one-acre plot of land and begin growing maize and beans.
With the hope that everything goes well, I plan to build a modest food business in my hometown so that I can rely on it even when agriculture is not an option due to weather changes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($442 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at work when I got my transfers. It was a typical day for me until I overheard my friends discussing the receipt of their transfer; I immediately reached for my phone to confirm whether or not what they were saying was true. When I received a text message confirming that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was overjoyed. This was because I was confident that I would be able to meet the objectives I had set for myself earlier.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life today is that I was able to accomplish my dream of purchasing a dairy goat. I no longer worry about purchasing milk daily because we have enough for our consumption. I am so happy that the support from the organisation empowered us financially.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I always had a dream of rearing dairy goats, though it was not easy to raise them due to financial constraints. My husband and I work at the county government. Together we are blessed with five children. Upon receiving my transfer, my husband and I agreed on buying a dairy goat to save up money that we use daily on purchasing milk. Therefore, I bought one for $170. Secondly, bought a water tank worth $140 and lastly I purchased foodstuffs with the remaining amount. I am so happy and fulfilled that I was able to accomplish my goal in a short period.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I would like to spend these transfers to start a shop-keeping business for my son. I usually give him $60 every month from my salary for his upkeep but I hope with the opening of this business he will make at least $150 monthly. This will be enough to sustain his needs so that I can focus on saving for my retirement.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am always a happy person and I have learned to always live like that no matter what life gives me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My son Nick completed his studies 3 years ago and he graduated with a First Class Honors degree in Agribusiness. He has however not managed to secure employment despite his good performance. I still have to provide him with everything as I pay for all his bills. I planned to educate all my children and let them be by themselves by age of 25 so that I can focus on saving for my retirement but so far I have not achieved this and it worries me a lot. I still have hope that someday he will secure employment but before that, I wish he could get a business to keep him busy and help him pay his bills.
