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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be updated on Mwanajuma's next check-in.
5th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to the persistent drought, it is impossible to rely on subsistence farming for food production, so we spend a lot of money to secure the same. Sometimes we lack cash, are forced to starve the entire day, and go to bed hungry. So I prioritized purchasing food worth 3,000 KES from the transfers. Also, I spent 3,200 KES to clear school fees for my children, which enabled them to sit for their end-term examinations. I also used 2,000 KES as a transport cost to ferry my hearing-impaired daughter from her special boarding school during the holidays. Finally, I obtained three hens using 750 KES to help generate future income when they reproduce and multiply.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have four children in primary school and at the time when I received my transfers they owed the school some fee balance. The moment when I received the transfers I spent KES 4000 on their school fee so that they could be allowed in school. Am the main income earner in my family and the KES 100 I make daily from the sales can barely meet the most basic need like food for the family. Raising my children's school was always a challenge and in most cases, they could be sent back home for school fees. This lowered their self-esteem because they could not perform well in their studies since they missed classes most of the time. I appreciate the support Give Directly is offering us. KES 3100 I spent on food for the family during the festive season.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I think GiveDirectly does well in terms of dealing directly with recipients and doing away with intermediaries such as government officials. This has tactic has proven tactical and beneficial to us recipients. We are happy that by dealing with us directly many people will get the help they deserve which is a good thing for us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Well, the major challenge I am currently facing is being able to raise enough money to pay school fees for my children. I have heavily depended on the farm for my survival. Ever since the rain stops raining things have not been that rosy on my side. I have had to adjust and hustle for manual jobs to sustain my family. Although these manual jobs have helped me in ensuring that my family can get food daily this has not been true on the side of paying school fees. My 5 children who are all still in school depend on me to pay their school fees. The little I earn from doing these manual jobs is not enough to raise school fees for all my children. Immediately I received the transfer I spent a whooping KSH 2000 in paying school fees for my children. In addition to paying school fees, I used the remaining KSH 1000 in buying food for the family. Due to the many uncertainties, I chose to buy food so that I am sure that my family will not starve.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was already at my workplace trying to get money for my kids to go back to school and continue with their education. I received the text message and I was very happy that I had received the cash since it would help me so much.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The cash has made so much difference in my life with my kids back to school I am more than happy with that. I want them to continue with their education without any interruptions. I now have peace of mind and I also got to have food for my family and we are sorted in terms of food currently. I am also looking forward to investing in good projects so that I can become financially stable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My kids had been sent home for the past three days and I was doing everything possible to be able to get the school fees so that they could go back to school but still I had not succeeded in getting the amount. So when I received the cash I was very grateful and thanked God that my kids would go back to school. I spent KSH 1200 on paying school fees for my kids so that I could go back and continue learning. I also spent KSH 200 on buying food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means good education for my children. I am blessed with 5 children. All these children attend school. One of my children is totally deaf and dumb. She attends school for the physically handicapped in Kwale county. The school fees for this particular child ranges from 15,000 KES to 20,000 KES per year. The rest of the children are still in primary school. I pay a total of 20,000 KES for their school fees per year. Raising approximately 40,000 KES per year is not a joke. My husband is currently jobless. I am also doing a small business of selling fast foods such as potato and cassava chips. I roughly make a profit of 200 KES. With a family of 5 children. This income is never sufficient. All the amount goes into buying food and purchasing other essential things such as soaps. This means, nothing remains for savings that can help me pay school fees for the children. As at now, my only focus is on my children's education. My plan is to use the transfers I will be receiving to continuously pay for my children's tuition fees as they keep on advancing to their next academic classes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. We don't take breakfast in my family. We only take lunch and supper. I always start my business of selling fast foods in the morning. In the afternoon, after I have earned an amount, I give my children money to buy maize flour and cook their lunch. I am always happy at this moment because I know my children have something to eat for their afternoon meal.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the challenge I am currently facing. I do not have an employment that provides me with an income that will sustainably satisfy my family. I work as a fast food vendor in a nearby primary school. The amount I make per day cannot meet all the needs of my family. A family of 5 children cannot be satisfied with an income of 200 KES per day. This amount only caters for the food we consume. This leaves us with nothing to meet the other family needs. Sometimes my children are denied access to school due to huge fee balances. We go to bed hungry on some days. This is all because of the insufficient income I make. I believe if I could have a formal employment, I could not be facing all these problems. I could be sure of a constant income after a period of time.
