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 ($494 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Our lives have changed for the better since receiving the transfer. We have adequate food for consumption unlike before when we could miss some meals. Also, we are certain of always having quality and sufficient food, especially milk, in our family after acquiring the additional cow. Besides, my child who is at secondary has ample study time after paying their fees on time. I always feel ashamed to see my child being sent home to collect pending fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by allowing us the freedom to choose how to spend our transfers. This would allow us to maximize our money by spending according to our priorities and preferences. In brief, this ensures each one gets satisfied. In the other hand, I find nothing that GiveDirectly cannot do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 250 USD of my second transfer on purchasing a cow as a way of expanding my herd of dairy cattle to ensure we always have milk for consumption and sale of any surpluses. Also, I paid 100 USD as fees for my child whose is in secondary. I chose to do so because I usually spend all my income from my casual tasks such as weeding for my neighbors on paying the fees, leaving me with nothing to save for future uses. I spent the remainder (about 180 USD) on buying foodstuffs for my family because our stock was too low yet I was worried about where and how to increase it.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was taking lunch and at 1.43pm, I saw a message on my phone and I was at work in a school where I work as a support staff. A teacher who works in the same school texted me that same time to confirm receipt of the same message and we walked outside to rejoice together. She had also received the transfers and we both were very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been able to relax from looking for food as it has always kept me on toes. With the transfer, we had bought enough food to last us about 2 months. School fees has always been hard for me to raise but this time my son went to school without me having to worry where to get the money as the GiveDirectly transfer had it sorted.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I built a house that is bigger than the one that I used to live in. I also paid school fees for my child who is in school, bought clothes and food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a parent with six children, all of them in school. I feel that their way to a bright future is through giving them the best education. My husband and I never got a chance like this and we have a mutual feeling that many of our current challenges are as a result of not getting the best as far as education is concerned. That is why my number priority right now is to invest heavily in the education of my children. My firstborn daughter is in high school and I pay 10000 shillings each year as school fees. My 5 other children are in their primary level of schooling and I spend 20000 shillings annually to cater for their uniforms and books. This is so much for me to handle and I feel that the burden is going to be heavier when they all transition to high school. Receiving this money will be a big sigh of relief to me as I will save a good portion of this transfer for my children's school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am always happy in the evening because it is time I take some rest from a hard day's work. This is also the time I reflect on how the day has been and also plan for the next day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Providing for my family is one of the heaviest burdens on my shoulders right now. When coronavirus was first reported in Kenya the government ordered closure of all schools. That means all my children have been home all this while. Having sufficient food for my 6children all the time has been a nightmare. I am a cook in a neighboring school and because of Covid-19, we had to pause operations. From then on I had to look for other ways of surviving like being a casual laborer on other people's farms. I used to earn as little as 150 shillings per day which is hardly enough to feed my children. I have accumulated so many debts from neighbors around to a point I feel ashamed when I meet them face to face.
