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 ($441 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have five children - two in secondary school and three at the primary level. Paying their school fees has been a challenge, but I am glad to boost the payment using the first and the second transfer. At the moment, I have no new goal but working hard to streamline my sources of income that will, in turn, pay their tuition on time. I am running subsistence and livestock farming, whose proceeds have been paying school fees for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a great job that changed the outlook of the village, as many bought livestock, others constructed new houses, and paid school fees for their children. This project is unique compared to any other I have ever seen from other organizations. The approach was clear and everyone received a cash transfer, as promised by the staff who visited. I am grateful and wish GiveDirectly the best as they plan to visit and support other villages.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
To ensure a memorable mark remains in my household after the transfers, I saw it fit to buy a heifer at KES 20000 that I am currently rearing with another dairy cow that I already had. I am always grateful to see every morning as a reminder that the generous support we received from GiveDirectly was impactful on my family. I also completed the construction of my new house, which was still missing the doors and windows. I had to cut down the available trees on my compound, obtained timber, and paid the carpentry labor a total of KES 4000. I am glad that we now live in a new house with spacious rooms for my family of eight. In addition, I paid KES 14000 tuition fees for my two children in secondary school, new pairs of clothes for my family at KES 10000, and the remaining amount on other household goods. I am grateful for the steps we have taken and have faith that the future will be brighter.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($480 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was at home busy with the house chores, suddenly my neighbour came to inform me that she had received money from GiveDirectly, Upon checking my phone I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was so happy and grateful for the opportunity that I was given for me to transform my life, I knew that I will be able to pay school fees for my children
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My daily life is different, this is because my children can comfortably study in school, at the same time I was able to build a decent house for my family, my mind is at peace now, I always desired to build a decent house for my family but all this was not possible due to the unreliable sources of income, I am so grateful for the support that impacted my life positively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
School fees have been a major challenge for us, this is because I have six children who are in school, I work as a casual labourer hence I don't have a reliable source of income, the little money I accumulate goes for school fees, thus the moment I received my transfer I used KES 20,000 on school fees for my son who is at the university. I then considered building a decent house for my family at KES34,000, this is because previously we were living in a small grass-thatched house, I was unable to build a decent house due to school fees responsibilities, I am happy for the transfer that lifted my living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have three children in different schools with one whom I have not paid a cent since the opening of the school. This is disturbing me as I am worried that he will be sent home due to a lack of academic fees. So when I receive this transfer I will pay for their school fees as mounting to KES 30000 and other academic requirements. The remaining amount I will spend to build a more spacious house since I have one grass-thatched house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a son who is in his last semester at university. I sold all my three goats to clear all the arrears to enable him to sit for his final exams. This has brought joy and happiness to me since he will be sitting for his exams in a week and get a degree. I am hopeful that he will find a job and have a better future.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints. I depend on the casual job of weeding people's farms subject to availability. I earn KES 150 per day. This work is usually tiresome since our area is prone to drought thus the ground tends to be hard when digging. With this money, I spend on purchasing food and spare a little to pay for school fees. This money is usually insufficient and sometimes I compensate with plaiting ropes. Where I get sisal for the ropes is also a challenge and far.
