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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in my kitchen preparing breakfast for my family after coming back from fetching water at the nearby water pan. It was about 9 am when I received continuous messages alerts on my phone. I was with my daughter-in-law who examined my phone and informed me that I had received my transfer. I was extremely happy for receiving my transfer since I had eagerly waited for the aid to support my second-born son's education. He was about to join college to pursue a teaching course.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently living a stress-free life after accomplishing my desire of taking my son to a teaching course. Previously, I lack money to further his studies something that kept me worried about the future of my child. I am very grateful for the transfer and thank GiveDirectly for coming through with the aid.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to support the education of my child who is about to join college for a teaching course. The transfer come at a time when I needed it most since I was stranded on what to do to take my kids to school since I did not have any savings for his education. My kid had completed secondary education but I lacked the finances to further his studies. I used KES 40,000 of my transfer to clear the term one fee as well as do the shopping for him. I also used KES 10,000 of the remaining amount to purchase iron sheets, this was for the construction of a new house since the one I had was grass-thatched and leaks during the rainy season.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have my son who completed secondary school in 2019 but I have been unable to take him to college. He applied for a teaching college and fortunately he received an admission letter last month which is due next month. I plan to use this money to take him to college. This has been my great ambition for my son.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son got an admission letter last month to join college. This is something I have been admiring and praying since he started school. This has brought about so much joy in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Water shortage. Clean and fresh water is very far from here. A distance of almost 30km. This is very harsh for me since I have to use a lot of money in a week to get enough water for my family. In a day I spend 350KES to get 100ltrs.
Food security. The persistent drought has brought about hunger since we can not depend on farming anymore. Our charcoal business no longer sustain us because sales are few in a month. I get approximately 2500KES a month. This is not enough to take care of all our needs.
