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
53150 KES ($531 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
check
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the transfer on paying school fees for my son who is in form two. I value education because it empowers people and enables the community to make good choices in life. I felt so embarrassed when our people refused to embrace the GiveDirectly program due to illiteracy and ignorance while languishing in extreme poverty.I would not like a repeat of such a mistake in the generation of my children. I never had an opportunity to get proper education that could equip me with the necessary and relevant skills to compete the job market and this has hindered me from leading a better life. My father refused to pay my school fees being that he had a polygamous family and instead preferred to provide for the younger wife. The pain of denial to education haunts me a lot and therefore would not like that my children go through the same. I lack any form of investment that I can give to my children and therefore education is the best I could offer them.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has a direct contact with the people recipients which is so satisfying and accurate. However, the program could increase the transfers to aid those that are more vulnerable to sustainable levels.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I feel so happy and empowerd to approach life with much dignity and self-esteem. I bought a dairy cow that is soon calving and hopefully will provide me with milk and ghee. This will improve on my food security and nutrition. I intend to sell the surplus which will add on my cash flow. This will enable me pay timely school fees with ease. My children will no longer be sent home as before when they used to miss lessons and exams due to lack of school fees. I also bought a water tank that I would like to harvest and store rain water. I hope this will save me from the daily budget for water during dry season and instead divert the money to buy food for my family members. As a subsistence farmer, I managed to plough a piece of land that I have already planted maize and beans, this will improve on my food security and the money I initially used to buy food can be saved and channelled to future plan of constructing a better house. Thanks to GiveDirectly that has enabled me to meet the goals of my life which I really longed for but could not manage any due to lack of steady and reliable income.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I kept a larger portion of my transfer as savings hoping to pay school fees for my chilld and the two relatives which has been a burden. The remaining amount went on constructing an animal shed for my cow.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt very happy, actually I have never been happy like this for such a long time. We celebrated with the whole family by eating our best meal.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that, I am so relaxed and not worried of paying school fees which has been the case before.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I currently face is a struggle to put food on the table as well as paying school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when all my household members are back home and we talk as we share meals together.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will go along way in helping me since I am burdened with school fees after loosing my job. I shall also spend part of my transfer is starting up an income generating activities.