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 at home preparing my working tools ready to travel to the bush for charcoal burning. I was with my husband who had just arrived from his business of buying and selling livestock. I remember it was around 7 am when I received the message alert on my mobile phone. My husband verified the messages on my phone and informed me that it was our transfer from GiveDirectly. I was very happy for receiving the transfer that was the only hope of providing a quality education for my children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had desired to provide quality education for my kid so that they might have a better future. Able to achieve my desire by setting aside some amount for their education is what gives me peace of mind and a fulfilled life. The ability to provide education for my children is the biggest difference in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With 2 children in secondary school and one about to join, my priority was to support their educational needs. I set aside KES 24,000 to pay off their school fee balances. Previously, we were struggling so much in providing for their education which made them be constantly being at home because of the huge balance. I was demoralized as a parent seeing my kids unhappy because they were about to drop out. I am very grateful for the aid that restored hope and morale in my children. I also spent KES 4500 purchasing a new mattress for my kids who were spending their nights on an old small mattress that was not comfortable. With the remaining amount, I am intending to construct a decent shelter for my family this is because earlier we were staying in an old, grass-thatched house which is leaking. It requires frequent replacing of the grass top which is costly.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are blessed with eight children, who are all school going.they are doing well with their studies despite the fact our area has drought at the moment, and we lack food all the time but this has never stopped them in attending school.
One big problem that will be solved with this gift from Givedirectly is the large debt at school; which amounts to 27,000 KSH.So we plan to use the first transfer to clear this debt, and to pay school fees for the entire year which will cost around 30,000 KSH for the whole year.
We also plan to expand our house to bigger double room, but this will come later in the year, we appreciate give directly for coming through at our hour of need.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter in secondary performed exemplary, and was congratulated by the headteacher during assembly, where I was present and was invited to give a speech to encourage other students to do well in school, I feel very proud.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently the most pressing need is to settle the debt of school fees for all our children and to pay school fees for the entire year.
Part of our house has fallen down because of the heavy wind that is brought by the drought, so now am forced to sleep in the kitchen with my children, where it's very smoky and very squeezed so during the evening we have to struggle so much with the heat and smoke in order to sleep.
So whenever it's evening I become so sad, but I believe soon we will be able to get a better house.
