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 ($421 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am looking forward to finally opening up a business preferably where I can begin selling groceries which will enable me to cater for the day to day needs of my family. I also plan on paying tuition for my children so that they can continue to pursue their education with no interruption.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I want to express my gratitude to the organization for the funds that impacted my life in the most positive way possible. For instance I was finally able to finish up on three bed roomed my house and now we have enough space for me and my kids which makes feel so ecstatic.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was really glad to receive the transfers when I did especially since I had plans of using the money to finally to begin the construction to my house. After I got the chance to withdraw the funds I proceeded to spend over KES 20,000 and buying iron sheets. I then bought two goats which cost me KES 7,000. My kids were almost getting kicked out of school so I paid tuition worth KES 4,500 for the three of them. Lastly I ended up spending the rest of the transfers I remained with on nourishment.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($462 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 7 when my daughter was preparing our evening meal when I realized that there was a message notification from my phone. Since I couldn't read, I requested my son to check who it was. He realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was extremely happy and I remember jumping up and down like a baby. I was certain that soon I will own a better house.
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 now have a very spacious beautiful house which has made me proud. For more than ten years in marriage, it has been tough all along because of the situation of the shelter. I used to sleep in a very small structure which some nylon on the rooftop. During the rainy seasons, it was so hectic because I had to shift my properties to my neighbours and send all my five children to their grandmother to seek shelter. I honestly never had joy in my marriage because of these recurring challenges. Apart from that my spouse is very old and jobless therefore, I have been responsible for all the household needs. The charcoal business I relied on was not that profitable which shows it would take years for me to be able to construct a spacious house. I feel I am relieved now from the pains and sorrows since I no longer have to complain about the rains or all sorts of humiliations from society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on paying school fees of KES 3000 for my three children in primary school. The money came in good time because they were about to be sent home due to the arrears. I later two goats at KES 4000 which are the only living assets that I can lean on in case of any financial crisis. Apart from that, I bought building poles, iron sheets and nails at KES 36000. I had intended to construct a new house because the previous one was single-roomed and could not accommodate all my five children. It is now a relief for us because we have been sheltering comfortably under one roof. I spent the remaining amount to buy food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent house for my family. Currently, I am living in a grass thatched and small house without even a room. The walls of the house are almost falling off. I have wished to own a better house but due to financial instabilities, I have not achieved my dream. I am a charcoal burner and my earnings are as little as KES 1500- 2500 per month. This amount is not enough to cater to all our household needs. I plan to use KES 50000 to build a two-bedroom house with an iron sheet roof that is spacious enough to accommodate us comfortably. I will further use KES 15000 to buy 5 goats that will act as a long-term investment project for my household. The remaining amount will be invested in the children's educational needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My first born son visited me in the month of April. This brought joy to my life because he bought me one sack of maize ( 90 kilograms). I still have stock and we have not been skipping meals for the last month. I have also been able to pay school fees for my children from my savings which could have otherwise been buying food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. This is because I am the only breadwinner since my husband left us in the village and he remarried over 5 years ago. Raising my two children single-handedly has been a problem for me. I depend on a charcoal burning job and my earns are as little as KES 1500- 2500 per month. This amount is not enough to cater to all our needs as well as pay their school fees. I have been struggling to put food on the table and I am forced to borrow from my relatives, something that does not give me peace of mind.
