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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($433 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?
As of now, I do not have school fees arrears and I am hoping in 2023 I will be able to pay the fees frequently without delay. I work in a mining company getting a wage of $4.5 a day, If I can save $1 a day for the school fees, I can keep my children in school. My older children did not manage to finish primary school and I would like the four to clear school so that in future they will be employed in a nice company and help me when I am older.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done a good job, of giving us this money unconditionally. They do not discriminate against anyone.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have nine children, five are married and four are in school. My biggest challenge has been paying school fees for my children. I work at a mining company that pays $4.5 a day. This money mostly helps me buy food for my children. Before the transfer, I had school arrears of $200. My husband lives in Kilifi, and he only comes whenever he wants. Most days I see him after three months and he only sends $5 a month, he is not the supportive husband I would wish for when it comes to the bills in the house and I am left with all the responsibilities. This transfer has helped me clear out all the school arrears and bought two goats that I am rearing which I will sell whenever I need the money. It also helped me buy food for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($473 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am when I reached home from the field where I had gone to check on the progress of my charcoals which I was making. Upon taking my phone which I had left in the house, I saw a message. I called my helper to read and interpret the content only to melt my heart in joy and happiness. The information was so touching; getting such news in the morning is something everyone loves. It was the KES 55000.00 transfer from GiveDirectly that had been received in my account
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the GiveDirectly transfer, I was living an uncomfortable life due to the debts that I was required to pay. Although I was not being harassed I was not feeling comfortable knowing that I have no means of paying the money. I am glad for GiveDirectly for enabling me to pay the money after receiving the transfer thus restoring my confidence in the eyes of my neighbors. As of now, I am walking freely and comfortable knowing that I settled all the debts.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, the first thing that I settled was a debt of KES 10000.00 which I borrowed from neighbors to pay school fees for my children who had been sent out of school. Thereafter, I paid school fees of KES 10000.00 for my children so that they could be retained in school for proper learning. I also bought them school bags and shoes since the ones they had were overused and worn out. I also used KES 5000.00 to buy a door for my son’s house which had been without a door for a while due to lack of money. having settled those, I bought a mattress for KES 5700.00, and three goats and used the remaining amount in buying food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My passion for livestock farming is unconditional but lack of money has made it impossible for me to acquire some. Receiving this money means I will be able to buy some livestock and use the rest of the money to do other things like repairing my house which is not in a good condition and start a grocery business. The reason I am prioritizing livestock keeping over a house is that the house is still habitable which will give me time to first invest in the animals that will help me generate revenues in a short term. I will start by buying 5 goats @ 4000 totaling to 20,000 KES, then use 50,000 on repairing the structure and put the remaining amount on the grocery business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Give Directly coming to our village has brought joy and happiness to my life because now I am sure that I will be able to solve some of the problems that I was not able to deal with due to lack of finances.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Drought has brought many challenges in my life. The poor economy has worsened things for my family because the food prices have hiked to a point I decided that we will be having two meals a day to keep the day going due to insufficient money. I am afraid if this continues people might start dying as a result of hunger.
