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?
Before utilizing the second transfer, I gad developed a plan that I desire to accomplish it. I would have used the second transfer for the same only that it was already planned for. If I get some money, I desire to add more goats which will serve as an investment. This is because they have ready markets and they are affordable.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I appreciate the help I received from GiveDirectly because it helped me solve some issues that I had no solution over them. GiveDirectly helped me to settle school fees issue for my children something that I did not know how I was going to deal with it. I was stranded with them at home after being sent out of school knowing that this would mark the end of their academic journey. Thanks to GiveDirectly for reviving the lost hope and the children are now back in school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the second transfer, the priority was my two secondary school children. They have been on and off school due to school fees and this did not give me the peace of mind I needed. I used KES 17000.00 to pay the arrears as well as the current term school fees so that they could be retained in school. Thereafter, I used KES 4500.00 in paying medical bill for my child who fell on fire and got serious injuries. I also bought two goats for KES 4000.00 and saved the remaining amount for the family upkeep.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 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 on my way back home with my daughter from fetching water at the nearby water point when I heard the message notifications from my phone. Being illiterate, I hand over my phone to my daughter who checked the messages. After examining them she told me that it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was extremely happy and surprised at the same time since I had been eagerly waiting and I had great hope for the transfer from the day when we were enrolled into the program.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the I am living a happy life after constructing a decent shelter for my boys. This has brought them together and raised my self-esteem in life. Previously, they were moving from one neighbor's house in search of shelter. They were missing the opportunity to study on their own after school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My long-term desire has been to construct a decent house for my 2 boys who were seeking shelter from our neighbors. Seeing them moving from one neighbor's house to the other eat away the join of my life. I spent KES 17,000 to purchase iron sheets and payment of Labor charges for the construction of the house. My kids are now happy staying in a proper shelter like other kids in our society. In addition, I used KES 15,000 to renovate my house by constructing an additional room since the one I had was very small. Even though it was small, I was sharing it with my co-wife. Furthermore, I used KES 7,000 to pay part of the school fees for my children one in secondary and the other 4 in primary school. We used the remaining amount to purchase 2 goats and food for my family of 10 members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been admiring to venture into livestock rearing and in this case I mean goats. This will be a sustainable source of income for my family. I plan to use 30,000KSH to buy the goats. I will also renovate my house because the walls are falling off. The repairs will cost me 10,000 KSH. With my second transfer, I plan to use it to clear school fees for my kids who have a balance of 15,000KSH. I will use remaining amount to buy food and clothes for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up in the morning in good health together with my family, makes me happy regardless of all other problems.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The persistent drought condition in our area has affected me so much. I depend so much in farming to feed my family but lack of rains has been a let down. I have resorted to charcoal vending but the returns are very minimal. I make as little as 1,000 KSH a month from selling charcoal which is very little to sustain all the family's needs.
