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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be updated on Elisabeth's next check-in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($428 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving an unconditional cash transfer was a blessing for my family. I used $200 to pay school fees for my son in secondary school and my two children in primary school. They had been in and out of school several times due to unpaid fees, which disrupted their education. Ensuring their fees were paid meant they could stay in school consistently and focus on their studies without interruptions. I then paid off a $110 debt to the water company that supplies our household. The debt had accumulated to the point where our water supply was disconnected, and I had to fetch water from our neighbors. Clearing this debt was a priority to restore our access to clean water and avoid further inconveniences. I also used $77 to buy a bag of potatoes and 10 liters of cooking oil to start a chips-selling business. This small business is a step towards financial stability, providing a steady income. Additionally, I purchased seven iron sheets and roofing nails for $80 to repair our leaking roof, improving our living conditions. The remaining money went towards buying one and a half bags of maize, ensuring we had enough food. I am incredibly grateful for the help from GiveDirectly, which has allowed me to support my family's education, restore essential services, and invest in a small business for future stability.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the support, I was struggling to keep my small potato chips business afloat. I had borrowed the capital to start it, and the repayment obligations meant that my profit margins were very small. Most of the money I made went straight back into paying off that debt, leaving very little for anything else. But now, thanks to the transfers from GiveDirectly, I was able to inject new, debt-free capital into my business. With the money I make from selling potato chips, I can finally afford to buy school requirements for my children. In the past, when they came home and asked for something, I often had to tell them we couldn't afford it. The guilt and frustration of not being able to provide for their needs weighed heavily on me. I can now buy them what they need, and it's such a relief to see their happiness and to know that their education and well-being are no longer compromised because of our financial struggles.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on a Tuesday evening when I had just gotten back from the hospital, having taken my son there because he had broken his arm. My phone was out of charge, so it wasn't until I switched it on at 8 PM that I saw the message showing the cash transfers from GiveDirectly. The excitement that rushed through me was immense because I had accumulated some debt taking my son to the hospital and had been referred to Kilifi Hospital for further treatment. This financial boost couldn't have come at a better time, and I felt a huge sense of relief.
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Over the last 10 years since my husband passed away, I have been struggling to make ends meet in my household. The struggle has never been easy because I lack a reliable job that can support us at home. My hope has been in farming but again, this isn't reliable due to the unpredictable seasons. My children's education has been of high concern and the most recent one to be affected is my elder son who had to drop out of school due to lack of fees. The others are still in school but their performances are very low since they usually spend the better part of the term at home. As a mother, this has pained me most and I am always stressed. What a life to worry about!
What is the happiest part of your day?
In January, I was able to harvest two 90-kilogram bags of maize from my farm. This produce has been a great sigh of relief to me because my family has been food secure for at least 4 months. This has been a huge boost to me since I can provide food to my family. Hence, I consider this as my major source of joy.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My biggest concern at the moment is to see my children comfortably continue with their studies without disruptions. This means I should be in a position to pay their school fees on time as well as provide for them the very basic needs at home like food, decent beddings, and smart uniforms. To ensure this is possible, I intend to start a small business selling vegetables, fruits, and other foodstuffs at our nearby trading center. This will guarantee me a daily profit of at least $5 per day which will require me to have a starting capital of not less than $200. A huge amount ($500) will support me in paying school fees for my children both in secondary and primary schools to ensure their continuity. The remaining amount will help me to buy food, uniforms, and also a new mattress to replace the old one. Hence, this is basically what receiving this money means to me.
