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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am in Form One, and it is through GiveDirectly transfers that I have been able to stay in school, as my parents are peasant farmers. When I started receiving these transfers, I saw the need to support myself, allowing my parents to cover the fees for my younger siblings. Since these transfers have a specific timeline, I decided to invest them in a project that would help me pay my fees even after the transfers end, knowing I still have a long way to go.
I initially bought a good number of chickens for my poultry project, with the number almost reaching 50. Unfortunately, when I came home from school, I was told that a disease outbreak had affected the chickens, wiping out all that I had bought. I felt devastated.
Therefore, I have changed my plan and now want to invest in livestock, specifically goats, with my GiveDirectly transfers. This is my goal for the coming year and beyond. I am hopeful that this will thrive, as goats multiply very quickly. This will provide me with future financial security and serve as a reminder of the monthly transfers once they come to an end.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a student, my major priority is to ensure that I pay my fees promptly, especially now that I am privileged to receive monthly transfers from GiveDirectly. I am very thankful for these transfers because they allow me to concentrate on my studies without the worry of being sent home for unpaid fees.
When I received my most recent transfer, I spent $80 to pay off my fees because I had some outstanding balances. I didn't want to wait to be sent home when I had the money available. I also bought some personal clothes for $4 because the ones I had were getting too small. Additionally, I purchased school books worth $5 as required by the school. Finally, I saved $5 towards my goat-rearing project.
I plan to start buying goats once I have saved enough money. This project will provide me with future financial security.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As a form one student, my goal is to ensure continued support for my education. To achieve this, I established a chicken-rearing project last year through the transfers. I am pleased that the proceeds from this endeavor have assisted me in covering needs such as school fees when I was initially joining secondary school. Currently, I have at least 50 chickens, and my aim is to expand this flock. I believe that during financial emergencies, both at home and at school, I can sell some of them to raise money. With the transfers scheduled to end before I finish form four in the next four years, chicken rearing will ensure that my school fees are covered even beyond the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a high school student currently in form one, I have primarily used the transfers to cover my school fees. I am grateful that the funds assisted me during my admission to the institution, as I spent $88 on paying school fees and purchasing materials like books and uniforms. This support was crucial for my parents, who rely on casual jobs such as making charcoal to make ends meet. Besides their limited income from this endeavor, they are burdened by the needs of my other six siblings, all of whom are also in school. Thanks to the transfers, I was able to join high school on time. With the current holiday period and tuition for the last term cleared, I have saved the remaining $14 for the next academic term. I am immensely thankful for the transfers, as they have not only helped me achieve my dream of joining high school but continue to support my education up to now.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year, my primary objective is to secure funding for my poultry project and expand my flock by acquiring additional hens. The proceeds generated from selling these hens will play a crucial role in financing my secondary school education. By alleviating the financial burden on my parents, who already face challenges in providing education for my six siblings, I aim to contribute to the well-being of my family. The progress I have made thus far in my life fills me with immense joy and gratitude, and I attribute much of it to the support I have received from Give Directly through their transfers. Their assistance has opened doors of opportunity and empowered me to pursue my goals, bringing positive changes to my life and the lives of my loved ones.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having successfully completed my primary school education, I am thrilled to have received my results. I am delighted with the outcome and eagerly anticipate commencing my secondary school journey next year. To ensure a smooth transition, I diligently saved $34 in preparation for purchasing essential items as I embark on this new phase of education. Furthermore, I allocated $15 towards acquiring animal feeds and invested in three additional hens, bringing the total number of hens in my possession to 20. The progress of my poultry project has been promising, and I remain optimistic that I will be able to make sales and generate a profit next month. In addition to my academic achievements, I recently completed my exams, allowing me to settle the remaining school fee debt of $34. With the assistance of supplementary transfers from my father, who works as a casual laborer selling charcoal, I was able to fulfill this obligation. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support that enables me to finance my education and invest in income-generating ventures.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The financial situation at my home is quite challenging, with my parents striving to make ends meet but still unable to fulfill all our needs. Despite these hardships, I take pride in my ability to utilize the money from my subsequent transfers to fund my upcoming secondary education. My strong dedication to pursuing higher education stems from my desire to secure a promising future and support both my parents and siblings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently in my final year of primary school, and out of my July transfers, I allocated $15 to cover my school fees. Our family is struggling with poverty, and I heavily rely on my parents for financial support. They work as casual laborers, selling charcoal to make ends meet. However, their earnings are meager and barely sufficient to meet the needs of our large family, which includes five siblings who are also in school and rely on our parents' support. To alleviate the financial strain on my parents, I took the initiative to pay my own school fees. Moreover, I invested $14 in purchasing two hens as a strategic plan for the future. Unfortunately, one of the hens passed away. Nevertheless, I see this investment as an opportunity to generate income. As the hens multiply, I can sell some of them to fulfill my needs. Next year, I will complete my primary education, and I am already saving a little by little to finance my secondary education. To contribute to these savings, I kept the remaining $5 from my July transfers. With determination and hard work, I hope to create a brighter future for myself and ease the financial burden on my parents.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I approach the end of my primary education, I am determined to perform well in my final exam and continue to secondary school. To prepare myself financially, I have decided to save $10 every month until the end of the year. This will provide me with enough funds to purchase the necessary items required for my admission to Form 1, thus reducing the financial burden on my mother. By taking this initiative, I hope to ease the stress that comes with financing my education and ensure that I am fully prepared for the next phase of my academic journey. I am committed to working hard in school and achieving my goals, and having the financial means to do so will be a significant step towards realizing my dreams.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I appreciate the organization's efforts in supporting vulnerable members of the community. One aspect that I find especially beneficial is the monthly disbursement of funds, as opposed to receiving two lump sums. This approach allows for better planning and critical thinking towards one's future, as opposed to the challenges that come with managing lump sum payments. I commend the organization for implementing this approach.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently in my final year of primary education, and our family of eight members is solely dependent on our mother who works as a casual laborer and sells charcoal. It's very challenging to see her struggle to provide for us, and I have six siblings who also need care. When I received my second transfer, it was a significant financial relief for me. Prior to this, I had been out of school for a week because of a huge outstanding school fee debt amounting to $80. Using $14 from the transfer, I paid part of the debt and was able to return to school. I also invested $10 in buying hens, as I see poultry farming as a potential income-generating activity that will enable me to settle my school fee debt. Having a large debt has made learning difficult as I am often anxious and unable to concentrate. Finally, I saved $10 for any unforeseen emergencies that may arise. My goal is to settle my school fee arrears entirely and complete my education without any interruptions.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1480 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Before receiving the money, I felt like I had no hope in my education, but upon receiving the transfers, I felt so happy and relieved because I knew that all the stress I had in terms of paying school fees was all gone.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I started receiving the transfers, I was so stressed because I was worried that I would no longer continue with my education considering the financial situation back home. But when GiveDireclty came, I saw light at the end of the tunnel, and the transfers had so far played a bigger role in my education. I am currently relieved because I no longer miss classes as before and I know that I would finally achieve my dream.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to the financial challenges, it had been so difficult to get the money to pay for my school fees, I would be sent home on several occasions in search of school fees as others were continuing with the syllabus. The transfers from GiveDirectly had been of great help, and with the recent amount, I managed to spend it all and cleared my pending school fees balance, I also bought other school items that I was in need of. Thanks to GiveDirectly for the much support so far.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Education is my top priority ambition. In March this year, I finished my primary level education with the hope of continuing to the next level ( secondary school). By the look of things, paying school fees for me will be a struggle for my parents. To ensure I realize my dream, I will use 15,000 KES to buy goats. My father will be taking care of the animals. As my livestock continue to reproduce, I will be selling them and use the earnings to pay the tuition fees. This will also ease the burden on my parents.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The joy I felt after finishing my primary level education in March this year was unquantifiable. After all the obstacles faced, I finally made it. I was very proud of myself.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity has been a challenge in our family for so long. I depend on my parents to provide food for me. Our family is big. Imagine a family of 6 siblings, all depending on the parents. My parents earn by selling charcoal. In a month, their combined income cannot exceed 5,000 KES. The food purchased by this amount cannot sustain the entire family for a month. Sometimes I have to go to my friends so that I can get something to eat.