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
53150 KES ($442 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?
If I get money, I aim to build some pillars and a concrete base all around my house. The aim of doing this is to make it firmer since it is made of mud. Doing so is an assurance of long-lasting because even rainfall cannot damage such a house unless it is very heavy with a whirlwind.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization restored my peace of mind by enabling me to complete my house to have a separate shelter from my big boys. By so doing, I felt relieved and confident because my privacy was restored. If it were not for this organization, I bet I would be still sleeping with my boys in the same house. Thank you GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I got to the second phase of the transfer, I completed my house which I had already started using the first transfer. Therefore, I bought 16 pieces of iron sheets for KES 19200.00, poles and rafters for KES 7000.00, and a labor charge of KES 4000.00. I opted to cocomplete the new house because the one I had was very small and I used to live with my three sons; one of them is in secondary school. This was shameful and it deprived me of my privacy. Thereafter, I paid some school fee arrears for my children. For the one who is in secondary, I paid KES 20000.00 while for the two who are still in primary I paid KES 2000.00 for each of them. Having done that, I had exhausted everything and I became grateful for that achievement I made.
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?
It was exactly 6 in the evening when I was preparing an evening meal when my son alerted me that I had received my first KES 55000. I was shocked and happy at the same time because it was like a dream to me that I never thought would come true anytime soon. I remember saying a special prayer for this fortune. This will forever be the most memorable day in our lives.
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 was able to clear the fees arrears for my elder son who had finished his secondary education four years ago. This matter has been frustrating us for so long because my son could not even seek any job since there was no evidence that he finished his studies. Being a widow of three, it has been tough all long because I depended on the odd jobs with meager incomes. Sometimes, fending for my family was not attainable and they could skip meals for a couple of days. This is evident that it would take ages for me to clear the arrears and what I can I tell is that this is a prayer answered. At least I now have peace of mind knowing that he is in a position to seek for job and soon go for further studies. I am thankful for all that they did in my life and may God continue to bless them for their good deeds.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a dairy cow at KES 10000. I settled for the dairy cow because it has so many benefits as compared to the other domestic animals. One then being the plenty liters of milk, the manure among others. The milk will be a surplus for our daily meals and will sell the remaining liters to my friends. Also, I cleared fees of KES 18100 for my son who finished his secondary school education four years ago. I am happy that for now, he can easily join college or seek employment since he has his certificates. I later bought building poles at KES 8000 and iron sheets purposely for the construction of a new house for my sons who are now teenagers. Previously they used to sleep at their friend's houses who live far away from the village. Our house was very small and this has been frustrating me for a long. With the remaining cash, I have been buying food for my three family members.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"They say, when an opportunity comes grab it". As you can see over there, it is a primary school called Mwaeba. Whenever I look at it in broader picture I always see a business opportunity. The school has a population of 2500 pupils and 15 teachers. In that school there is no one with a food kiosk. With my little skills of cooking together with my daughter-in-law, I believe we can establish that food kiosk and start making money. According to that population, I can estimate an average income of 1000KES daily based on the number variety of foods we will sell. This will help me pay school fees for my three children who are in school and at the same time be able to cater for my other needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Where I was born one of my brother had a ceremony last week. One his daughter was getting married and according to the norms of the girls in that home they normally don't get married because of bad behavior.So when I heard about it, I really nice and happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As I stated earlier, I was left by my husband in 2005 through a terrible death. He left me with 7 children and the first born was in class 5. So you can imagine the burden of responsibility I have been going through. One of the challenges I have been struggling to fight all along is the problem if school fees. Some of my children dropped out of school, some finished but their certificates are still being held at the school due to fee balances which is approximately 54000KES. Right now I have one child in secondary school and two in primary school. The one in secondary has been giving me headache because I do not have any reliable source of income. The child requires 40000KES in each academic year and now he is in his second year. It's quite a very rough and tough experience am going through as a widow and single mother.
