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 ($467 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 new goal is to start rearing high-breed Galla goats which are more profitable than the indigenous breed that I am rearing currently. Furthermore, we are living in a ranches area that is suitable for livestock rearing. I intend to sell them at a higher profit after they multiply and use the income will be supporting my kid's education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for sending cash transfers directly to our mobile phones without any intermediate which reduced corruption. In addition, the unconditional nature helps us to make decisions on our own on how best to use the transfer. I wish it would enroll every person in a village not necessarily targeting households.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to invest in my children's educational needs. Currently, I have 4 children who are schooling, 2 in the university taking education courses with one at postgraduate level. The others are in college and secondary school respectively. Providing for their education has been a great struggle for me. I was forced to take huge loans to cater to their studies. The transfer has been of great help to me. I spent KES 40,000 to clear their school fee arrears, previously they had huge fee balances that it was hard to complete, I was just giving false promises for them to stay in school. In addition, I bought a bigger solar panel on hire purchase by paying a deposit of KES 3000, this was for lighting my house. Formerly, I had small solar which provide a dim light for my kids to study. At the moment, they are doing their homework well without struggling due to poor light quality. I also bought a water tank KES 5000 to store enough water for my family of 9 members. The remaining amount I spent on daily needs like food and water.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at around 9 am, I was busy at work class teaching my students mathematics. After the class, I had a break when I decided to examine my phone. I recognized that I had received a message from Segovia limited indicating that I had received my transfer. I felt very happy and relieved for receiving the transfer since my kids were about to be sent home due to school fee issues. After reaching home, I planned with my wife on how best to resolve our financial challenges using the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my kids are learning without any difficulties. Through the transfer, I was able to clear all the pending fees Previously, I had took a loan from a bank to support them but all in vain. I thank GiveDirectly for coming up with the cash program.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 35,000 of my transfer to clear the fee arrears for my 3 in colleges and the another one in secondary school. They had a huge fee balance and the school had resolved to send them home. I was confused about what to do since I had no money, additionally, I had borrowed a huge loan that requires me to settle it. I also spent KES 15,000 to complete the construction of a toilet for the family. Previously, were using the for st which was risk especially and night as well as environmentally unfriendly. The remaining amount assisted me to purchase clothes for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a new life to me. I am a primary teacher in a local primary school in the village. I have a family of seven children. Two are in university, one in college, one in secondary school and three in primary school. Raising these children has not been easy because I earn very little amount of money of less than 35000 KES. This money is not enough to pay school fees for my children and meet other basic needs. I have been depending on soft loans from friends which has made it difficult for me to make any investment for my family. Everything I get is used to service my loans and some for basic needs. I intend to use the cash transfers to pay school fees for my children. This will help me save from the income I get to buy goats that I will sell when they multiply as an investment for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually from 9am to 4pm. This is because, as a teacher I leave home in the morning at around 6am. I spend the whole day in school and come back at 4:30pm. During the moments I'm in school, I become happy because I meet colleagues in school whom we share our challenges and this gives me hope to move on with life amidst all the challenges that I face at home. When I go to class for my lessons, I meet my pupils who most of the time make jokes that makes me laugh and forget my problems back at home.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Poor health of my family has been the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. I am the only child in my family and the breadwinner for the extended family. Two days ago I lost my father who was diagnosed of breathing complications for the last seven years. My mother also has chest complications and also her legs sometimes swell and cannot walk. My wife too has stomach problems. Since I am the only child, the responsibility of taking care of my parents and my family are solely on me. I have been using the little income I get as a primary teacher to help my parents and my wife get medical attention but this has never been possible. This made me lose my father. I also have a family of seven children who are in universities and others in primary and secondary schools. All of them look up on me to provide for them. This has made life more difficult for me and my family. Upon receiving this money, it will be a relief for me as I will be able to pay fees for my children and the income I get, will be used for other basic needs.
