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 ($462 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal was to build two single room rentals which I have already achieved and my focus now is doctorate the rooms from outside because I didn't manage to do so with the transfers that I got.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what GiveDirectly does well is allowing us to make decision on how to spend the transfers. That way we are able to make decisions based on priority of our needs because we know what we really want.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a piece of land in a nearby school where I had build two rentals which I used to rent to students who couldn't commute on daily basis. I used to charge 2000 KES each per month thus earned me 4000 KES which was pretty some good money considering that I am a housewife and I couldn't depend on my husband for everything. My goal was to add two more so that I could get a higher income and support my husband with family responsibilities but financial constraint was the major challenge because I would spend all the money that I earned on basic needs. Being enrolled in the program was a dream come true and that why I used all my two transfers to built two single room units. Im happy that they have already been booked and I'll be able to earn extra 4000 KES when school reopens.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at the grazing field looking after my goats, it was about 6 pm when I received the message notification on my mobile phone. I could understand the meaning of the message since I am illiterate. I had to wait until evening when I returned home. My second-born son checked the message and break the good news that I had received my transfer. I was so happy about receiving my transfer since I had got money that will aid in the accomplishment of some of my heart's desires.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Seeing my kids learning without any interruption is the biggest difference in my daily. Currently, they are in school and anticipating that their performance will improve. Previously, they were frequent out of school due to the huge fee arrears.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 to clear part of the huge fee balance that had accumulated for my 2 boys who are in form 4 and about to complete their secondary education in March. They were constantly sent home for fees which makes me worried that their final performances might be affected. In addition, I bought 10 tonnes of building stones for the construction of 4 rental rooms at the nearby market centre. I will be able to rent them out and I project to be earning KES 6,000 per month once I complete the construction. I will use this income to educate my 4 other children who are still in primary.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means clearing school fees for my 4 children who are in secondary school ( form 4). I have been trying hard to educate my children despite the financial challenges I have. I acknowledge education is the key to a successful life. Currently, they have a total balance of up to 60,000 KES. I am hoping to spend 60,000 KES to clear the arrears and this will give them room to acquire their certificate once they are done with exams. I expect that they will pass and proceed to university and support us once they are employed. In addition, I will spend the remaining part of the transfer to purchase a 3000-liter water tank, whereby I will use to store water and sell it to residents when we have water scarcity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My 3rd born who is in secondary school (form 2) became mentally unwell last year. This was the lowest part of life I have experienced. She could not proceed with her education because her situation was becoming worse daily. It reached a time when my marriage was at a peak because my husband thought I was the main reason as to why my girl is that way. In August this year, I took her to a pastor for prayers, and God healed her completely. This brought a lot of joy to my life and family too. She is now okay and proceeding with her studies.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is the biggest hardship I am currently experiencing. This is because of the kind of job I am engaged in. I work as a casual laborer and the job is not guaranteed. On a good day, I make 700 KES which is not enough to sustain all our needs such as school fees. This has hindered me from clearing fee arrears.
