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
53150 KES ($465 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?
Currently I do not have any goal or set plan that I will work on once I get some money. this is because, the drought that has affected us has made me to think of how my family will survive on daily basis. In that regard, if I get money I will plan on how best to utilize it but the first thing is to ensure that there is food at home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am very happy for GiveDirectly because through them I was able to acquire what I was just admiring but I clearly knew that I could not be able to acquire. If it were not for GiveDirectly I would not have bought the cows despite the fact that I really admired to own them. In that regard, GiveDirectly is an empowering organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, I bought two cows though the actual amount used is well known to my helper. These cows will provide milk not just for sale but also for family use since it is healthy for children. I also paid KES 4000.00 school fees for my four primary school children so that they can stay comfortable in school without being sent home for fees as they were used to. This will enable them to do well in their examination.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 9 o'clock when I was in the house busy doing my households chores. Being very busy, I did not have time to interact with the phone. After completing my chores I left home for work in the bush until noon when I returned home. Upon returning home, my elder son checked my phone and informed me that I had received my transfer. I was very happy for receiving my transfer and I Informed the rest of the family whom we jointly celebrated for receiving the 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 children are learning without any interruption after paying part of their fees. I am optimistic that their performance will improve this term. Similarly, I have peace of mind, and my kids are currently glad to stay in school like other children in our society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With 4 children still schooling, one in college taking an IT course and 3 in secondary. I had a very tough time educating them since I did not have a reliable job, they were constantly sent home due to lack of school fees something that eat away at my happiness. After receiving my transfer, I spent KES 20,000 to pay part of their school fees. I also used KES 15,000 to renovate my house which was about to collapse. Furthermore, I spend the remaining amount on food and water for my family since we were experiencing drought in our area.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means access to education for my three children. I have a family of five children who need to eat and attend school. Three of these children are currently in secondary school. Over the years I have been depending on charcoal selling businesses to feed and educate my children. However, due to the long drought that is currently facing our village, the business is no longer reliable. The much I can earn for a month is less than KES 2000. This has made my children to be on and off school due to fee balances. I intend to use the first cash transfer to clear the current fee balances for my children which is KES 50000. I will then use the second transfer to buy 10 goats as an investment for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Life is very difficult for me and my family. Having a family of five children without having a stable source of income has been worrying me so much. I have no specific time of the day that I become happy because of the challenges I face. The only time I become happy is when I get something for my family to eat. When I see my family happy as they eat together, I have peace of mind. However this is not happening on a daily basis. Imagine leaving home as early as 6am and come back 6pm without anything to eat. This gives me a lot of stress, and sleepless nights.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Long drought and famine that is currently facing our village is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced. Over the years, I have been depending on subsistence farming which would give us plenty of harvest. However, this has changed since the land is very dry. We also experience water shortages which makes it difficult to even do irrigation farming. In most cases, we go without food due to lack of water for only cooking leave alone bathing. This has forced me to start charcoal selling business which is illegal but because it is the only means for survival, we have no option. I intend to use the cash transfers to clear fee balances, buy food and buy livestock that will help us sell to get money when they multiply.
