GiveDirectly: Send money directly to the extreme poor

2nd Payment

Transfer Amount

53150 KES ($421 USD)

1 year ago

How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?

I have a goal which is to own more livestock moreso goats. I believe that once I will have a good number of them, I will not strain a lot especially in paying tuition fees for my school-going children. This has been my major challenge and I trust that through the goats all the financial hiccups shall come to an end.

In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by coming to my village and changing our lives positively. The unconditional cash transfer has enabled us to own livestock, pieces of land, and houses and send our children to school. Also, we were offered informative teachings on how we could secure our cash from fraudsters and online scammers. I do not see anything that they did not do well.

What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?

I spent around $70 of my second transfer on clearing the fee arrears for my three children who are in primary school. They have been staying home for weeks and I was so worried that they might end up missing the exams. I am so glad to see them back to school which is a sign of good grades and hence a brighter future. Later on, I bought furniture which include tables, chairs and bedding. Previously, I used to sit on mats and it was so embarrassing whenever I have visitors. Also, the bed was a traditional one which was very small. I now feel relieved because I no longer experience the pain and the shame. In addition, I had to buy four goats so that they can serve as assets which I can rely on in case of any challenge. Also, I believe that through them, I will achieve most of my goals. I finally purchased foodstuffs for my five children. Being a single parent, I feel thankful because my children can now take at least two meals a day.

Initial Payment

Transfer Amount

55000 KES ($471 USD)

almost 2 years ago

Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?

I remember I was in the bush busy preparing charcoal for sale. It was about 9 am when I heard the message ringtone on the phone. I could not understand the message so I decided to return home for my helper to interpret it for me since I am illiterate. After reaching home the helper confirmed the message and informed me that it was the transfer that we were promised by GiveDirectly officers during the enrollment stages. I was overwhelmed with joy after receiving the transfer. I began the preparation to go and cash it out because I had plans in place waiting for the transfer.

Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently able to support my family's basic needs like food without much struggle. Similarly, after receiving my transfer, the future of my kids is bright since I can support their education fully as well as have future savings for their education after starting goat keeping.

What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?

I spent KES 14,500 of my transfer to purchase household furniture like table and chairs, other small household utensils like plates, basins, and cooking pots. Earlier, I had to borrow these items from my neighbor because I did not have the money to purchase mine. I always felt embarrassed whenever I had guests that I had to wait for my neighbors to complete cooking before they could assist me. In addition, I spent KES 22,500 to start livestock rearing by buying 5 goats. This was to act as a reliable source of income and as well as a future investment for my kid's educational needs. Furthermore, I used KES 15,000 to pay part of the school fee arrears for my child who is in form 3. At the moment, l am stress-free that he is learning without being sent home because of school fee. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for the family.

Enrolled

2 years ago

What does receiving this money mean to you?

I am a single parent with 4 sons and a daughter. My kids have grownup in a difficulty situation through my straneous work of charcoal burning and working at the quarry. I separated with my wife 11 years ago because of povert. We expirienced many domestic chaos and finally my wife was married to another man in the nearby village, living me with a burden of responsibility both in the household level plus looking for means to feed the children. This matter made my first son who is now 20 years old to drop his primary education to care for his brothers and sister. I am currently 67 years and I can't do the straneous work anymore because my body is weak. I have left all of my responsibilities in the hands of my elder son. My daughter is in form 2 in her secondary school education and I have a fee balance of KES 22,000. Receiving my first transfer will shade light to the education of my daughter and also act as the only source of food security in my house. I will use the second transfer to purchase goats as a source of wealthy for my family , buy beddings for my children and also pay school fees for my daughter.

What is the happiest part of your day?

I got fees assistance (KES 15000) from a teacher who taught my daughter in her primary level. The teacher knew the education history of the child and also knew I was struggling in life and then he volunteered to pay a portion of her school fees for this term. This brought joy and happiness to me because my daughter is currently at school .

What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?

Food insecurity is the biggest challenge in my house. I dont have proper means of getting money. I depend mostly on charcoal burning business but there no trees anymore to burn charcoal and there no rainfall to do farming. My children dropped from school except the daughter who is struggling with her secondary .