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
53010 KES ($425 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?
I am a farmer who grows maize and some kales so that I can sell them and earn a living. I started farming some time back and this work has been my source of income. I have raised my kids through the money I got and I want to start planting beans and sell them so that I can increase my income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly gives transfer that has no strings attached to it. One can use the money they get from GiveDirectly knowing that I am not supposed to pay it back. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for everything.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of two kids, working as a subsidence farmer for survival. I have a grown up son who is 17 years old and lives with us under the same roof. The moment I received my transfers, I decided to build my son a house because the one that we have is not that spacious. It felt so uncomfortable living together with him and he did not have that privacy he desired. I also decided to build a store room where I will be storing my maize when I harvest them.I have struggled a lot looking for a space to store my maize because my house was small, but at least now, I have a safe place where no birds can feast on my maize. With the remaining amount, I managed to go shop for new clothes because the ones I have are worn out and at least I build my self esteem by looking good.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($447 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I remember very well that it was a Friday evening and I was at home with my family. I found myself laughing out loud when I saw a message from GiveDirectly. My children were equally surprised and wanted to know why I suddenly was so happy upon reading a message from my phone. I shared the good news with them and they too felt very happy. It was already sabbath and I could not withdraw the money until sabbath day was over. What made me happy was the fact that I was finally going to be able to clear school fees for my children and therefore have peace of mind for me and my family. I had huge school fees arears of amount not less than $300.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving this transfer is in the investments that I was able to make with it. Having cleared school fees for my child who is in college and having bought some furniture for the household makes me so much happy and relieved. All along I have entirely depended on support from my husband who works as a driver. This has often strained him and fir once I feel GiveDirectly gave him a helping hand. The farming which I normally depend on to earn some income has lately been not so productive making us depend entirely on my husband for almost everything. The improvements that we made in our home have si brought a lot of comfort and joy within the family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $250 to pay school fees for my son who is doing his college education a d used another $50 for his shopping. I gave another $50 as a tithe in church. I used another $50 to buy clothes for my children making them feel part of the beneficiaries of this program. I used the remaining $150 added to some savings that I had made and bought a beautiful cupboard for the family. Being a mother of two and depending entirely on agriculture to meet the needs of my family has not been very easy for me. I had accumulated school fees arrears up to $300 and which I did not know when I could raise enough to clear the same. My son was at the verge of dropping out of school, something that stressed me a lot each day. I feel so much happy and grateful for the relief brought about by this transfer to my family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving this money will be a major boost to our family.The cost of living has gone up, everyday is a struggle.The financial situation has been dire.First things first we will clear the outstanding fee of $350 for our son in college.We have been hoping against hope and praying that God will open away for us to raise the fee. Our prayers has finally been answered and we are extremely happy about it.We will use the rest of the money to do fencing around our farm and if the remaining amount will be enough we will add a dairy cow to our stock.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had always wanted to start a poultry project. To actualize my dream I decided to join table banking,a women empowerment group which pool resources together with other women. Sometimes on August it was my turn and I got $100 which I used to purchase 15 chicken. It gave me an headstart and they have started laying eggs.I see this as an achievement and it gives me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a son,22 who is in a college in Kisii undergoing a certificate course in plant operator.We are struggling to raise fees for his education, at the moment we still owe the institution $350 which has been an uphill task raising it. We have since paid $300. This help from Give Directly have come at the right time since we will be able to clear the entire fees to enable our son to learn seamlessly without being disturbed and subsequently graduate in December. We are hopeful about him and glad that he will have a bright future.
