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
55000 KES ($450 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?
I would like to engage in large-scale farming, and also keep chickens and goats. When ready I sell them at wholesale price. I will also like to farm and sell the produce at the market.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has uplifted my life for the better. I now have a house. As a single parent, this project has helped me ask for help from other people. Givedirectly does not discriminate the single parent and I am thankfu
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I separated from my husband and from that marriage we had seven children, three sons, and four daughters. All my daughters are married and my sons are in the city working. I am a farmer and I keep goats and chickens and sell them on rainy days I also have a farm that I cultivate. During this season of drought, I could not cultivate my land and with my old age, I cannot work. My sons send me money for upkeep as I wait for the rainy season. My house was invaded by ants and has a lot of cracks in the walls. Receiving this money has enabled me to build a new house that cost me $220 and saved the rest of the money for rainy days such as my medical expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being a farmer, my day is always busy working on my farm. It was about 9 am when I had returned home to relax after completing my morning work. My helper checked my phone and informed me that there is a Mpesa message on it indicating that I had received my transfer. I felt very happy and I called the rest of my family members to join me to celebrate receiving our transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my 6 children are now learning without any interruption after paying part of the school fees. This has restored my peace of mind since I was worried about their education. Previously, they were constantly sent home for fees something that lowered their performance in school something force them to repeat classes.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After the demise of my husband a year ago. I was left with the responsibility of raising my family of 10 members single-handedly. Being jobless and unskilled, educating my eight children through secondary school was a big challenge for me. This forced 2 of my children to drop out of school due to lack of school fees. After receiving my transfer, I spent KES 11,000 to pay part of the school fees for the 6 children who are still schooling. They were constantly at home due to the huge fee balances. Furthermore, I purchase building materials to renovate my house by putting up a new roof since the one I had was leaking and had been blown away by strong winds 2 days after I received the transfer. With the remaining amount, I spent KES 1000 to boost my farming by hiring an ox-plough to prepare my farm. I also bought sufficient food with the remaining part of the transfer.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better education for my 5 children one in secondary school and 4 in primary school. I am a widow, raising school fees and providing food has always been a problem for me. I will spend my entire first transfer to clear all school fees arrears and give them ample time to study. With the second transfer, I plan to buy 5 goats to rear. I am assured of them multiplying because they can survive with the weather conditions. I have been sleeping with sacks, getting this money I will buy a bed and a mattress so that I can also sleep comfortably. With the remaining amount, I will food for my family to stay healthy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two months ago we got relief food from the national government. The drought had hit hard in our area and I was happy to learn that the government still cares for its people. I got 10 kilograms of beans and maize, this food lasted for two weeks and I was able to rest from cutting firewood.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a widow, feeding a family of 7 children and catering to their needs has always been a challenge to me. Not having a stable source of income has made me turn to charcoal burning and cutting firewood for sale. This is a tiresome job that needs more energy to accomplish and it has fewer returns amounting to KES 1500 per week. I am worried about what will happen if fall sick and not be able to work again.
