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 ($455 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to enroll in a school of applied biology, which is my course of choice. Because of financial constraints, I could not take any course at the college. The course is for three years and I have planned to use the entire amount in the support program to pay for my two years as I figure out how to pay for my final year.
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly did well to provide the funds in my village because most of us who could not complete school can now go back to school or college. I feel like Give directly should give financial advice to some villagers and follow up with them in order to have a great impact on the living standards and lifestyle in the village.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am born into a family of eight children. My parents are unemployed and mainly depend on farming to provide for our needs. Currently, because of the financial constraints, my parents have only paid my high school fees and cannot cater for my college fees. The first transfer was entirely spent enrolling me in the school of applied biology. My recent transfer is in my account to pay for my second year of college, which cost KES 53,000 per year.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6:00pm when I heard my phone ring. Upon checking I was met with a pleasant surprise from GiveDirectly confirming that I had indeed received money from GiveDirectly. I was with my mother and brother and I. shared the good news with them. They wer very happy as well and joined me in the cebration. The first thing that came into my mind was that the money could be taken back or stolen from my account. I made a decision to transfer the money to my mshwari account as I took to planning afresh on what I needed to do with the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the school fee that I have been able to get and finally join college of my choice. This has always been my dream and I did not know when this would be made possible. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me realize my dream of joining college and hoping for a better living standard in future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 5000 to clear school fees arrears that was owed to me in the secondary school that I studied in. This was to allow me take my secondary school certificate and apply to join a college of my choice. I used another KES 2500 to apply for college slot near my home and when I finally got that chance to join college I deposited KES 30000 as school fees. The transfers made me realize my dream of joining college a dream that had been postponed for a long time due to lack of money. When I cleared form four my parents who rely on small business and subsistence farming to earn a living decided to concentrate on my younger siblings who are now in their secondary school. I resorted tu working as a maid and the amount of income was just enough to feed me and pay for tuition fee for my younger brother who stays with me to date.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I completed my grade 12 education in 2014, I aspired to pursue a nursing course at the Kenya medical college. However, this dream was shattered when I was denied access to my certificate as I had not cleared the school fees arrears of KES 18000. Besides, my teetotaller dad was not supportive as he was constantly emotionally abusive. I even ended up depressed hence I decided to be independent in 2018. From then, I renewed my hope by searching for a job as a housemaid in the neighbourhood. My employer pays me KES 2000 per month which I use all of it to facilitate the arrears. When I receive this money, I intend to clear the remaining KES 5000 school fee arrears and pay for my college education. I thank Givedirectly for my ambition to pursue a nursing course will be a dream fulfilled.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I got the housemaid job in the neighbourhood six months ago, my hope for a brighter future was renewed. My employer pays me KES 2000 a month, which I have since used to reduce the KES 18000 fee arrears I accumulated in my secondary school education in 2014. So far, I have cleared KES 13000, indeed a huge amount, and this fascinates me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have had a persistent chest problem for quite some time now despite seeking frequent treatment. This is because I live in a grass-thatched house that is always leaking especially during the current rainy season. On most occasions, I squeeze myself in the corner of the house where it doesn't leak although the house gets damp. Furthermore, I can neither raise finances to put up the roof nor get proper treatment for this condition and this saddens me a lot.
