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 ($462 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to expand my car repair shop business. I want to buy more spare parts because they have become less. I still have some money saved from my recent transfer. I plan to use the money on buying the spare parts. This business is all I have and depend on to provide for my family, that is, to buy food and pay school fees for my four children. I have two who are in secondary school and two in primary school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by enrolling everyone who is a member of the village and they gave money to all of them as promised. They were not biased in selecting who to enroll. By doing so, they changed the lives of most people in the community for the better. I do not see anything wrong with their way of doing work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 23000 of my recent transfer on paying school fees for my two children who are in secondary school. I managed to clear the whole academic term's school fees and I am happy because of that. I also spent another KES 23000 on buying a cow. I bought the cow because we did not have any and hence we did not have a source of milk. We have been buying milk where we usually buy a liter every day at KES 50. It has always been my wish to buy one but I did not have the money required. Whenever I make some money from my car repair shop, it usually goes to school fees payments and food for my family of six. I am thus glad that GiveDirectly made this dream come true for me. I also spent some of the money on buying more food and clothing for my children. I still have some that I have saved that I plan to use on expanding my business by buying more spare parts. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for your big help.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I had switched off my phone at night. In the morning around 5 am when I turned it on. I got a message notification, When I checked it out I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and immediately I wake up my family members and inform them of the money. Everyone was so happy and grateful and no one returned to bed. I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school. This was my first priority. When I had taken my breakfast I went straight to Mpesa shop and withdrew the money. I paid KES 28,000 for school fees and went back home to plan with my spouse on to spend the rest. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
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 paid the school fees for my two children in secondary school. This has been a challenge for me because I do not have a continuous source of income or any employment. I struggle to save some amount from the sales of my farm produce. This depends on seasons when there is a pamper harvest. My children used to be sent home and this was affecting their performance in school. This was because they could missed some lessons when they were home. This was so demoralizing and stressful to see them at home. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy and I consider paying school fees as they first priority for them to be in school. I am so happy now because they have not been sent home. I know there performance this time round will improve compare to previous terms. I have devoted much of my time on my farming activities and save some amount to pay them for the next academic year. I have peace of mind and Ian so grateful for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 28,000 on school fees for my two children in secondary school. I am so happy because they were able to study well without being sent home like before. This was one of my main focus. I bought sofa set seats because I didn't had any before, now I have a decent seats and whenever I have visitors around they sit comfortably. I renovated my house to look decent. This was my second focus because I had always wished to do this but I didn't had the money. The rest of the money I spent on food and clothes for my children. I am so happy because were it not GiveDirectly all this could not have happened soon.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is a big relief to me and my family. I currently have four children in secondary level and barely depends on farming. For about 3 years now, we have had a lot of disappointments in terms of change of weather. This has led to getting as low as 5 bags in a year. After selling this I end up getting an average of KES12,500 in a year which is not enough to pay a huge balance of school fees that has since accumulated. From the transfers,I plan to use KES60,000 to clear the balance and use the remaining amount to buy one dairy cow that can substitute the payment for school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It was 2 moths ago when I met with the area chief. He told me about Givedirectly transfers. It has been my prayer that you also come to our village. I was so happy when he told me you are planning to come. I felt that my prayer had been answered.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
One of the challenges that I am currently facing is lack of school fees. I have been afraid that my children will finally drop out of school because of of the huge balance that I owe from the school. Out of what I get from farming which is an average amount of KES12500 a year, this has never been enough to us.I am gratefully touched by this transfers and now I have faith that my children will pursue their education well.
