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
55000 KES ($484 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?
Yes, I have a new goal that I did not have which was to buy goats. I had planned to have them in my household which would be of help, especially for my children's education journey. Since they are now in primary schools, I was hoping once they transition to secondary schools, I would have saved enough from the sale of the goats but this was not achievable. However, I am hopeful that very soon I will own them.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does a splendid job in my village. The fact that the cash transfer was sent directly into our Mpesa account stood out. Each one of us was given the chance to choose what we felt was necessary for our households. On the other hand, I do not see any sector that GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying building materials which comprise iron sheets at KES 8500, building poles at KES 8000, timber, nails, and the labor charges of KES 5000. I had to prioritize this since I had aimed to construct a new house for my children. They have been sheltering at their friend's houses which were very far from our compound. I also cleared school fees of KES 7000 for my three children who are still in primary school. To add to that, I bought new school uniforms and stationery. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I took my phone for charging early in the morning before heading to the field to make charcoals. When I returned home in the evening at around 3pm, I heard people talking excitedly about the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I told one of my children to go for my phone and since the phone doesn’t have a phone lock, she switched on and immediately saw the transfer message of KES 55000.00. She came home running and excited. When she gave me the information I wanted to see by myself. I jumped up and down in happiness after seeing that I was not left behind in the transfers by GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My children were used to be in school just the first 2 weeks after opening and remained home for the rest of the term, but since the time I received the transfer from GiveDirectly they are now full time students in school like the other children. This act has brought peace of mind in me and my children too. We appreciate the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having been sleeping on a mat with my 7 children for so long, I saw it prudent to buy 3 mattresses at KES 2700.00 each, I also paid school fees amounting to KES 10000.00 so that my children to continue with their learning smoothly not as before when they were often sent home for fees. Thereafter, I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for KES 16000.00. the reason was to construct a house since the one I had was in a poor state.
Due to the high bills of paraffin for lighting on daily basis, I bought a small solar panel for KES 2300.00. Currently we have good lighting system at home. For the remaining amount, I saved it for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means access to education for my children. I have a family of eight children. One finished class eight but has not transitioned to secondary school due to lack of school fees. Four are in primary school and three are still very young. Raising these children has really been difficult because I do not have a stable source of income. I depend on charcoal burning business which earns me less than 1000 KES a month. This money is not enough to meet the basic needs of my children. They have been on and off school due to lack of school fees. Upon receiving this money, I will use the first cash transfer to pay all the arrears in school and pay college fees for my first born to study a technical course. I will use the second transfer to buy beddings because we sleep on the ground which is not safe in case a snake gets into the house and the rest start a small business to generate income for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. This is because I usually leave early in the morning around 7am in the morning, then I come back in the afternoon to cook for my children. I go back to the forest to spend the rest of the day burning charcoal and return home in the evening around 5pm. During this time, I get time to cook food for my family rest and refresh myself as I prepare to face the following day. Having time to relax and eat together with my family brings joy to my heart.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income has been the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. Imagine having a family of eight children who look up on you as the provider for their basic needs without having any source of a stable income. This has been my stress. I depend on charcoal business that earns me less than 1500 a month. This is money is not enough to meet all the basic needs of my family. All the money I get is spent on food only. This has made my children to be on and off school due to fees arrears. I intend to use the cash transfers to clear all fee balances for my children. I will also use part of it to pay for my first born son to study a technical course in college. The rest I will use to buy beddings and start a small business to generate income for my family.
