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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($435 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goals, both short term and long term, align with the current path my life is on. I intend to expand my business as well as increase my livestock count. All these would be directed towards ensuring my family's financial position improves and we are left with some funds to save and cater for other needs with.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I'd be the first to defend GiveDirectly against anyone who had a fault to pick with them. They are nothing short of miracle givers in that they impact lives so positively and in such a big way, that it's hard not to see them as a God send. They are above reproach. Good staff, transparency in their processes and honouring their word are all pillars GiveDirectly stand on, in my eyes. All I can ask of them is to kindly consider continuing the journey they have begun with us and adding to the transfers so we, the recipients, can continue and grow the projects that GiveDirectly has allowed us to start.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My youngest was just completing their final year of secondary and the funds from GiveDirectly were a welcome boost towards clearing all his fees arrears and keeping us in the black, ahead of his departure. 2 female goats were also added to our family as well as me starting a small grocery shop, right near our home. My farmer husband an I rarely have surplus income and with our other 5 children all grown up and living on their own,we focus mainly on fending for ourselves. Tilling the 3 acre land we own, we primarily grow maize and wheat, which we mill and store to keep us fed. GiveDirectly allowed us to start a new chapter in our lives, one who's pages we will enjoy writing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($478 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember my son had just been send home due to fees arrears and I was at home with them wondering where I would get money to take him back to school. I was so overjoyed when I saw the transfers message because I knew he was not going to miss his final year final exams. I told him about the good news and they were so happy that they were going to sit for his final year exams.
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 operate my own business and I'm earning income compered to before when I was just a house wife. I no longer have to go for long distance in search of water at it was released back after clearing the pending water bills.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend 20000 KES to clear fees arrears for my son who was about to sit for his final year exams and he had been send home due to fees arrears and he was was able to go back to school and sit for his exams. My son whom I usually depend on is a motorcycle rider and he wanted to buy his own motorbike so that he can be earning some good money because the commission of 200 KES daily that he has been earning is very little. I gave him 10000 KES to add to his savings and he was able to buy his own motorbike. Ever since he bought the bike, it's evident that he has been getting good income from the support he has been giving me. I also spend 10000 KES to clear water bill that I had and 10000 KES to open a small local grocery shop. I am happy that I was able to achieve my first set goals and I'm hopeful that the second transfer will be so helpful to me as well.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My last born is in secondary School on his 4th year. My son has experienced difficulties in his education because of school fees. I am a mother of 10 children whom I have raised my family through straneous working in the quarry. I have been working in the quarry for more than 10 years. Quarry job is a man's job but I have managed to struggle, strain for the benefit of my family. My husband was employed as a school watchman getting a salary of KES 5,000 per month which cannot sustain the family and through this, I decided to do the quarry job.
Through out my life, I have been dreaming atleast to get a capital to open my own business to relieve myself from the straneous quarry job but invain. Receiving my first transfer will mark the beginning of a positive look of my life.
I will clear a balance of school fees for my son (KES 20,000) start a grocery business just here at my compound. I know the balance of the first transfer won't be enough for the business , but this will mark as the start of my adventure towards building a wealthy family and relieved from the quarry work. I will spend the second transfer on increasing the stock in the business and maintain excellent business ethics so that I change my life forever. I believe this is the beginning of my relief from the quarry work which has ruined my body.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A mother working in the quarry is a mother struggling to make her ends meet and therefore its a life of struggling without having nothing to make you happy except the only energy you use to see your family taking their daily meals. However , what gives me joy and happiness is the strength and health I have which God has given and making me to face the life challenges. This is a Godly gift given to me to face the challenges before me and therefore what gives me joy and happiness is the health and energy God has given me to do this quarry work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
A house which has no stable income generating activity is a house with many challenges . Food insecurity is the greatest challenge in my house. Raising school fees for my son who is in secondary school also has been a challenge of which if it were not for my elder son who is a motorcycle business operator, my son's education could have been paralysed.I have more than 3 years in my house without buying new clothes because whenever I get little money, it either goes to school or goes to meet food budget for my family.
