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 ($431 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My long-term goal is to expand my company. I'd like it to grow to the point where I can provide for my family and give them a better future as a result of the extra money. Give them opportunities that their father and I did not have.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
This question can only be answered based on what GiveDirectly has done for me. They provided options for my family. A chance to better our lives, provide for our children, educate them, and all while maintaining our dignity We hope they will continue to help others in the same way. They are above reproach in our eyes, and we will be eternally grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It's difficult to put into words how much these GiveDirectly transfers meant to me as a mother of six and to my husband. These funds enabled us to stock up on food and pay for our children's education by covering school fees. With both of us tilling our land, my husband working as a casual laborer on construction sites, and me working as a seamstress, we had little to no money to cover our basic needs. We were having difficulties. I pay $20 per month in rent for my shop, where I sew uniforms and casual clothing for both sexes. My husband earns $8 per day when he can find work in our Miriani neighborhood. GiveDirectly stepped in to help.It enabled us to provide for our family. My children attend Waa Boys in Kwake, Timbilia Boys, and Talakumi Primary School for the younger ones. We pay $230 per term for the eldest in Form 3, $200 for the one in Form 1, and $20, $5, $5, $5 for the ones in Class 8, Grades 5, 4, and 2. The funds from GiveDirectly enabled us not only to pay these fees, but also to pay ahead in order to ensure that we remain in the black moving forward. I never imagined that an organization like GiveDirectly would ever come to our aid. I will be eternally grateful and indebted to them.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($470 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a tailor, I was at the shop busy making clothes for my customers. It was around 5 pm when I received that notification on the phone. After checking, I was overwhelmed with joy after seeing an M-pesa message on my phone indicating that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. This Mark the beginning of a better life and an assurance of fulfilling most of my desires. While I was carried away by the happiness, I received a phone call from my spouse asking about the transfer.
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 happy and relieved of the burden of education for my kid. At the moment, I have peace of mind about supporting my kid's education. In addition, the profits at my tailoring shop have improved after boosting it by acquiring more linen materials.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My senior kid is in secondary school and the second-born was about to join him. The transfer was of great help to me because I did not have money to do all the preparation and pay his fees as well. I spent KES 30,000 to do the shopping and pay part of the school fees for my second child. Currently, I am happy that he was able to join secondary school and learn without any issues. In addition, I used KES 17,000 to boost my tailoring shop by purchasing more linen. Also, I bought some clothes for my 4 kids for KES 3,000 since they did not have nice one to change. Lastly, being a staunch Christian, I used KES 5000 to offer tithes at our church.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better future for my children since I have desired to educate them to University. I have been worried about realizing this dream but with the arrival of GiveDirectly in our village, I am confident about fulfilling my desire. My son completed his primary school education in March this year and he is supposed to join a secondary school in May. I plan to use KES 55000 for his shopping and pay his school fees for the whole year. This will allow him to settle in school hence good performance. I will use KES 10000 to pay school fees for his elder brother who is already in secondary school. I am a tailor by professional, I intend to spend the rest of my transfer to expand my business to earn me more profit and use the proceeds to support my children's education in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My son scored 285 marks in his Primary level exam in March. This brought joy to my life, even though I was anxious about how I would pay for his secondary school fees. My fears finally ended as GiveDirectly arrived in our village and I am among the people who have been enrolled in the program. I am overjoyed because this is a big assistance for me and my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Shortage of water and food are the biggest challenges that I am currently facing in my life. This is because of the ongoing drought in our area. It has been over 3 years since we had ample rain. This has been the biggest stumbling block in achieving education for my children because most of the money I make from my tailoring business(KES 6000 per month) goes into buying food and water.
