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 ($421 USD)
access_time almost 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 this year was to set a local green groceries shop. Although I don't have the capital yet, I want to save the little that I earn daily and take a loan from the local saccos. Achieving this means that I will be able to pay school fees for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is giving people unconditional cash transfers. I believe many poor people have the potential of changing their live and only that, they are limited by their financial incapability. This is so evident because the cash transfers helped many people to transform their lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of six children and bringing them up alone without reliable source of income has not been easy for me. I rely on an average daily income of $2.5 that I earn as a wage working as casual in farms and selling milk since I have a dairy cow. Since all my children are in school and the older one has already proceeded to high school, I needed to buy another dairy cow to get additional source of income to be able to pay school fees without much strain. With the second transfer, I spend $280 to buy a dairy cow, $100 to pay school fees for my child and the balance to buy food. The dairy cow that I bought is due to give birth in some few months and I know moving forward, paying school fees won't be as difficult as it has been.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($469 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, It was at night when I was busy preparing dinner for my family. Then suddenly, I heard my phone ringing and vibrating. Upon checking my phone, I realised that I had received money from Segovia technology. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness because I was positive that my life would be able to clear the school fees arrears for my children. I then told my equally grateful children. I then embarked on planning how I would utilise the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life today is that I was able to clear the school fees arrears of my children who were still stranded at home. I was unable to pay on time since I depended on my grocery business to earn a living. I feel that a heavy load has been lifted off my back thus I am relieved and happy. Additionally, I was able to offset a debt. I am grateful for the unconditional transfer that uplifted our lives positively like never before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly was God-sent. It came at the right time of need because my children had been sent home to collect school fees. Upon receiving my transfer, I opted to pay school fees of KES 32,000 for my children. This is because I was unable to pay it before due to financial constraints. I sell groceries to earn a living, though what I make is bearly enough to sustain the family. I used KES 10,000 on settling a debt that had accumulated. Lastly, I used the remaining amount of the transfer on buying clothes and foodstuffs. I am so grateful for the support that lifted our living standards amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My life as a single mother of 6 with no employment is so challenging. My problem started after the demise of my mother in 2011. Providing basic needs as well as ensuring that my children get quality education has been problematic because of lack of income. I am so happy that this money will enable me to restart vegetable production and also purchase a dairy cow. I plan to use KES 10000 on vegetable farming and KES 40000 on a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a single mother of 6 and I gave birth to twins in the past month. The birth of my only daughter has brought joy into my life .My joy increased because the mockery and the humiliation of being called the mother of boys for the past 6 years have now ended.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of money is the biggest challenge I am currently facing. It started in the past 1 year after I conceived and had a hectic period of pregnancy. The fact that I stopped engaging in any rigorous activities led to a collapse in my business. Since then I have had to depend on my sisters for the provision of basic needs. It so embarrassing and humiliating to ask for everything for my family especially now when my 1-month-old twins demand a lot of things.This lack of money has psychologically affected me to an extent that I experience memory loss in the past few months.
