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 ($517 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I faced financial difficulties to the extent that I was unable to pay for my children's school fees on time. As a result, they were sent home frequently concerning school fees. I am now at peace having paid for them on time. This has at least given me adequate time to prepare for the next payments. I also have livestock that I am keeping in my homestead. My expectation is that they will reproduce and increase in number . I can readily lean on them in case of financial problems.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well in reducing the poverty in our area when it gave us the transfer. We have never had a great opportunity of improving our living standards from other organizations like the experience we had with GiveDirectly. We can now access to good shelter and also our children are well in school because of this transfer. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well in our region.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my second transfer on school fees for my four children all in high school. I used it to clear the fee arrears which has given me enough time to prepare adequately for their next payment. I spent the remaining amount to do some household shopping by purchasing enough foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The money that I received helped me in giving my hotel a facelift by buying new equipment that has generally improved our services and general presentation of our meals. This was not in vain as I have seen a tremendous increase in the number of our customers which means more income. My daily life has greatly changed because now, I am able to achieve some of my life long dreams such as opening another restaurant which was not possible before due to financial difficulties.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was already out of the house when I read the message showing the receipt of the money so I could not directly share the message with my husband. I was so excited that I could not contain the happiness so I immediately called him and shared the great news which was greatly welcomed by him.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of the money I received from GD to expand and improve my hotel business by buying more equipment. I have had the business for a very long time and the equipment I had such as the utensils were worn out and old, therefore I had to buy new ones to improve my customer services. I also have plans of opening a new hotel within the town on a piece of land that we have but has not been in use for several years now. I spent part of the money to buy building materials that will be used to renovate the that is within the plot and turn it into a restaurant. I also bought two goats as a sure investment in case the rest don't work out according to plan.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to expand my hotel business. I started it recently and it has really gone along way in enabling me to cater for most of my house hold needs.My husband who is currently just relying on herding cattle that does not pay much, will also be able to start his livestock trade business within bamba market and together I know that it will be much easier to generate sufficient income to educate our five children who are all currently in their final year of primary schooling and need to join secondary school next year.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day starts at 4:00am and ends at 10:00pm.I wake up early to prepare my self and breakfast for my children before I head out to my hotel in bamba town.For the better part of the day,my job entails a lot of movement since I have to ensure that food is well cooked as per my customers standards, well served and the premise kept clean.I am also the one at the counter and all the multitasking drains me a lot since it is just a starting business and I have to be on top of things. The only time that I get to rest is at night when I return home to sleep thus night time is my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is financial constraint.Much as my business is trying it's best to sustain most of the household needs,it is hardly enough to stretch as far as paying school fees consistently for all my seven children.On many occasions, they have been sent back home due to fee arrears and this greatly contributes to poor performance since they end up missing so many study sessions.
