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
53200 KES ($483 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different since I am very happy and comfortable. My children are now in school and also very happy hence reducing my stress since fees was paid fully. I am no longer the bitter woman I was before and can even swear that I have become younger. I have also created time to relax unlike before I used to work from dawn to dusk.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly has done well by giving us unconditional transfers that uplifted my life wholly since I was able to take care of the most stressing need. Its through being given the opportunity to decide how to spend this money that has made my family happy and no longer the village laughing stand. I don't think their is something bad that Give directly has done so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers on school fees for my two children whereby one is finishing University while the other one was joining College. It is my believe that if my children clears school they will find work and later help me out and that's why their fees was my top most priority. I also had to build a house for them since their security and health were giving me sleepless nights. My children have suffered, moving from one house to the other searching for a place to sleep on. Sometimes they have to walk for long distance at night and also being rained on since the near friends cant accommodate them anymore.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($509 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
We were on our way to the market together with my Son when I heard my phone ringing, on checking, I saw a message notification showing that I had received Ksh.55000 I knew this was the promised transfer from GiveDirectly, I informed my Son who was equally happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am a businesswoman, I sell second-hand clothes in the village, before I used to own a rented shop but I closed It down because I could no longer afford to pay for rent, I decided to display them on a veranda which was a bit cheaper, this was because I have children in school both secondary and college level who all depend on me for their school fees and their daily upkeep, my life changed when I received the transfer because I was able to clear their school fees arrears, part of the transfer I used it in topping up new stock for my business, I bought a dairy cow too. I lack words to express my gratitude, indeed this is just a big miracle to me and I am grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
School fees have been my major challenge, and it has always been my number one priority on my list, my aspirations are for my kids to have a better life in future, When I received my transfer I paid for their school fees arrears, then I used part of the money to buy a cow and also top up my business.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When my only cow died 3 years ago, I was devastated because this diminished my income that I used to educate my children. Receiving this money means a restored joy and hope that I can comfortably take my children through school again. I am planning to buy a dairy cow worth $270 and 2 heads of sheep worth $80.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a small business woman. I source fruits from a nearby town and supply them in local secondary schools nearby. The happiest part is in the late afternoon that I get paid and head back home delighted in having earned from my sweats. Money I generate from this business helps me in paying school fees for my 3 children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When my husband died more than 10 years ago, I never knew peace as my brother in-laws sold their late brother's possessions including cows that we relied on for income. The height of my suffering came when they sent me out of my matrimonial home. I went about seeking shelter in people's houses, sometimes spent the night in the cold. I brewed traditional alcohol for survival. It was until a few years ago when one of my oppressors also died that I came back home to rebuild my houses out of ruins. Had this not happened, I would be living a better life than having to start over. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in life.
