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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($462 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since my desire is to invest in goats, I will buy more goats if I get some money. I developed this goal after utilizing the second transfer and seeing how the goats I brought were growing fast and healthy. The aim of buying more goats is to invest in them because they have ready markets and are affordable to many people.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Initially, I had no good house nor goats as an investment. When I received the first transfer from GiveDirectly, I was able to build a house and I am now living in a good house. I also managed to get some goats as an investment from the second transfer. Sincerely, if it were not for GiveDirectly I cannot clearly define how mu living state would been. In that regard, I am saying that, GiveDirectly is a life changing organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, I paid school fees for my six children. One is in secondary school whom I spent KES 11000.00 for his fees and KES 4000.00 for the primary school children. I also bought six goats for KES 21000.00. The reason for choosing goats over cows is that, goats are drought resistant compared to cows. Thereafter I used the remaining amount in buying some food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9.30am when I was in the field preparing logs for charcoal making when I received a message in my phone. Although I was very tired I did not ignore the message as I usually do. I took out my phone from its case and checked what the message was all about. When I opened the message icon, I was shocked a bit seeing a huge amount of money in my phone for the first time. I felt so happy and energized thus I strongly proceeded with the remaining part before leaving for home, but it were not for the energizer (money) I don’t think if I would have finished the piece of the work which was remaining.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially I was not comfortable seeing some clouds forming in the sky fearing the disaster that would happen once it rains. Now I am more than willing even if it rains day and night since I know I am well sheltered, my house is no longer leaking. I am very grateful for the aid I received from GiveDirectly because I am sure if it were not for the organization I wouldn’t have managed to repair the leaking roof of my house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the cash, I first paid KES 7000.00 school fees for my seven children. Since it was a dry season, we had hardship in fetching some water hence I bought a bicycle which aided us in fetching the water, at some time neighbors would hire the bicycle thus getting some money from it. Having done the small things that were giving me some headache, I turned to the major issue which was renovation of my house. For quite some time, my house has been leaking and due to lack of money I wasn’t in a position to repair it. When I received this money, I bought eight iron sheets for KES 8000.00 for repairing the leaking parts of the roof. Thereafter, I kept the remaining for the family upkeep
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Though I did not have a chance to go to school I believe education is power. My ambition has been to educated my 8 children who are in primary school with the hope that they will pass exams and have a bright future. Receiving this money means good education. I am planning to achieve this by practicing livestock keeping. I will use the first transfer of KES 55,000 to purchase 20 local indigenous goats which multiple very quickly and I will sell them at a profit price and pay school fees. Apart from the livestock, I will invest the remaining amount to start a kiosk which will be an extra source of income for my family because I can save the proceeds of approximately KES 300 in a day for my children's school fees and other basic needs such as food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I wake up early in the morning, I prepare breakfast for my family members so that my children can go to school and my husband leave for job. I always enjoy doing this task because it is part of my responsibility. This is different from afternoon when I am bored in the house because I am alone. Therefore, morning is my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a full-time housewife and fully depend on my husband who works as a charcoal vendor in our village. The earnings from the sale of charcoal of KES 350 per week are insufficient to cater to all the basic needs such as food and school fees. This has made my children have school fees arrears something that had hindered them from staying in school because they are in and out. Therefore, lack of a good source of income is the biggest challenge I have faced in my life.
