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 ($433 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?
My goal in life, as I'm sure is that of every other parent, is to give my family a better life than i had. I want to make sure that I give them opportunities that I didn't have growing up, nor did their father. Aside from that, in the short term, getting a small business to sell non perishable food stuff would suit me perfectly. I'm praying in the not so distant future, I will be able to make that dream a reality
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What does GiveDirectly do best you ask? Uplift! Plain and simple! Without GiveDirectly going out of their way to ensure they serve others, I fear to think where many recipients, such as myself would have ended up. All I would ask is that they consider also registering boda boda riders into the programme as we have so many around who are in dire need of assistance that GiveDirectly gives
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My primary source of income is farming. Chickens for eggs and cereals for the family, is what I ply in. The funds from GiveDirectly allowed me to build a bigger and better house for my 7 layers and 1 cockerel. Now, hopefully, I can see their numbers rise, making me a small brood that I can use to ensure the family has a steady income. My husband is a retired teacher, while I volunteer as a midwife at Pentagon Community Volunteer. Seeing as our only immediate dependent of our 5 kids are the youngest in form 4 at Vitengeni Baptist Secondary and another in Kilifi Technical, studying medicine, we were also able to funnel some funds to getting food for the family. The remainder went towards paying for KES. 40,000 for the child doing medicine and KES. 19,000 per term for the other in high school. Lucky for us the eldest is an electrician in Mombasa, my second daughter is married and my third born is on attachment in Mombasa, so thankfully, none of them were on need of our immediate attention, leaving enough to cater for our needs. GiveDirectly has been the blessing we had been waiting for and I pray they continue to impact lives as they have ours.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($478 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 PM when I was preparing an evening meal when my phone started running continuously. I was so curious, I even left the task I was handling and checked where the message was coming from I was super excited after confirming that it was from GiveDirectly. I had finally received my first transfers as promised a few weeks ago. I decided to call all my family members and started the celebrations till dawn.
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 have a stable business that I am currently operating. The poultry farming business has always been my dream to run for years but I could not afford it because I did not have the required capital. Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I used to be a subsistence farmer and my spouse was the family breadwinner of five. This business will therefore be of great help to me especially in sending my children to school and sorting out all the farming bills. I am so happy as a mother because at long last I will be a responsible person with a brighter future. This is contrary to before whereby I used to strain whenever I needed money to sort out any issue that might have arisen.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 of my first transfer on paying school fees for my son who is in college pursuing a nursing course. I had to prioritize this because their exams were fast approaching and I was worried that he would miss them. God answered my prayer since he is in school without any hiccups that I thought would occur. Later on, I bought wire mesh, nails, and timber for the construction of a shelter for the chicken. I am planning to start poultry farming for both broilers and layers of chicken. With the remaining amount of money, I have been buying foodstuffs for my children and other household items that I was lacking.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I got married in 1986, all my life thereafter was dedicated to raising my five children. Never worked a day in my life because I was blessed with a very responsible husband. He provided for us with everything and I am eternally grateful. However, now that my children are all grown and their father retired from teaching, I have nothing much to do. I get bored at home. We have rental shops that we own. I could take one of those and start selling maize flour to keep me occupied. These transfers from Give Directly will help me stock up. I can use KES 30,000 for the business and use the remaining to pay part of the fees for my child who is in his final year of college. I
What is the happiest part of your day?
In November 2020, my second-born daughter was taken in for surgery. She was in such a bad state at the time. We were all scared that she might not have made it out alive but she did. I cannot thank God enough for this miracle. She is fully recovered and back to her normal self.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Three of my children are still in school. Two in college and one in secondary school. My husband and I do our best to raise school fees through farming but given the situation, it is not enough. We could raise that easily if we had businesses. I am hopeful that we will start one soon.
