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 ($518 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I managed to clear the school fees for my child. I was troubled on how I would raise the fees for him. Had it not been the support from GiveDirectly, I do not think I would not have managed to clear the fees. I also have some ten goats which I am currently keeping in my homestead. I know they are assets to me which I can readily depend on in case of any financial need.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well in uplifting our lives. We were not able to build houses, owning livestock and even meeting our very basic needs. However, our lives have now been changed since we have been able to fulfill all these through GiveDirectly. 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 the second transfer on paying for my child's school fees for him to continue with his studies. I couldn't pay for him on time and was sometimes sent home. I am at peace now having cleared for a whole term. I spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and other basic needs for my family and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($529 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Having cleared the school fees for my son is the biggest difference in my daily life. Previously he used to be sent home more often due to fee arrears. This used to stress a parent. Since my spouse is very old I was the only breadwinner of the family. The little money I got from the casual jobs were not enough to pay school fees for my child and still provide basic needs such as food. The moment I received my transfer my first priority was to clear his school fees so that he can study without any distraction. Since I am illiterate my dream is to see my children get a good education so that it can change their future generation. Had it not been to Give Directly I would not have achieved all this.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 pm, when I heard a notification from my mobile phone, when I checked its content I realized it was an Mpesa message from Give Directly indicating they had sent my first transfer into my account. We could not sleep that night we celebrated till dawn with my family due to the excitement that we had. I really thank this organization for fulfilling their promise. They really made my day.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on paying school fees for my son who is in secondary. I then bought several livestock with a larger portion of the money. I bought one dairy cow at 11000 and two goats at 6000. I am now a happy person because I finally fulfilled the dream of keeping livestock in my compound. I am so grateful to Give Directly for coming to my village. I used the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs for my family. We are now taking three meals like the rest as opposed to one meal like we used to do previously.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a happy woman owing to the fact that GiveDirectly has come to my rescue from a miserable life. Being in a polygamous household with 22 members and the husband is blind, each wife is forced to work on her own in order to feed and educate the children. With my little effort, I have managed to educate my children only up to primary level with some dropping out at standard five since I only depend on selling palm wine. This job is not reliable to support my family's needs. However, with the help of GiveDirectly's cash transfers, I plan to support my son's education and also to start another decent business to replace the one I currently do. The remaining transfer will aid in shop business so that I get a stable source of income. This will change my life for the better and basically it is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I always wake up early in the morning to go and collect the palm wine from the tapers and return home around noon. It is at this time when I am required to go and camp at my selling point to get my customers. This makes my work life balance unhealthy because I do not get time to relax. It is only in the evening when I come back home that I get time to rest and share meals with my children and therefore, I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is totally blind and has three wives. This means that each wife has the responsibility to provide for her children's education and food. Since my children have no reliable jobs to support me, I am forced to sell palm wine in order to sustain my family needs. Therefore, lack of reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.
