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 ($470 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 contented and happy with the achievement that I have attained so far. At the moment, I don't have any new goals but rather I choose to work on the ones that I had initiated. I am very grateful for the support that I was given.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly staffs are polite and nice, throughout my interaction with them I did not see anything that was not done well. I am grateful for the unconditional transfer that changed my living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a consistent farmer and a mother of seven children. I have been struggling with school fees responsibilities for a while. I have been selling vegetables in the village but still, it was not enough to cater for all our needs. Therefore, when I received my transfer I thought of paying school fees of KES 25,000 so that my children can comfortably study in school since it was a major priority. In addition to that, I bought sofa set seats and lastly, I bought foodstuffs and clothes with the remaining amount of the transfer. I lack to express how grateful I am, indeed it had changed our living standards to a higher level.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time 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, I was at the farm cultivating, when I saw my neighbour jumping up and down, upon asking why he was overwhelmed with joy, that was when she broke the good news that she had received the promised transfer, I immediately rushed to where I had kept my phone, upon confirming, I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was so happy that I left what I was doing and went home to embark on planing.
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 construct a decent house for my family, I was unable to realise the goal due to financial constraints, I am glad that the house is spacious thus my children can comfortably study, My life had been transformed to a better one, I am so thankful for the support that uplifted our lives amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My greatest desire was for me to be able to build a decent house for my family which comprises seven children, this is because the one that we had before was small and the roof was leaking, Upon receiving the transfer I used KES 30,000 in constructing a decent house for my family, which I was unable to construct before due to financial constraints and many responsibilities yet I depend on farming, secondly, I paid school fees worth KES 6000, and lastly bought foodstuffs and clothes. I am so happy for the support that lifted my living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As we speak right now my child is on the verge of dropping out of school. He is currently in his 2nd year of studies in high school but has not yet reported back to school since the new school term started 2 weeks ago because I have school fee arrears from last year amounting to KES.10,000. It has been a struggle because we depend on my husband who earns KES. 3,000 monthly in his business. This money is supposed to meet all our needs as a family of 7 which is usually about KES. 2,000 leaving only KES.1,000 to go towards school fee payment which is KES. 20,000 annually. With these transfers, I would like to clear the arrears and pay for the whole of this academic year also. My child's education will now be secured well. For the remaining amount, I will invest in some cattle which by the time the younger children will be starting Secondary School I shall be selling them to meet the needs of their school fees too.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We have had consistent rainfall for the last six months in this place which is not a normal occurrence, most of the time it usually dry. With that, I have been able to plant vegetables for our daily consumption in the household. It enabled us to cut costs on food and our nutrition improved. That's what has given me a lot of happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The future of these children is what keeps me worried most of the time. I do not want them to live the kind of life am currently living because it is so challenging to meet their needs. I wish I could educate them seamlessly so that they can lead a better life in the future but I have the challenge of paying their school fees.
