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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
For now, I do not have any new goals that are in my mind since I was able to accomplish the main one which was to own goats. I believe that as they increase in number, I will be selling some and paying fees for my children for the remaining years in school since this has been my major challenge.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well by ensuring that every needy household received the cash transfer without any discrimination. This has empowered 100% of us to construct better houses, send our children to school and own livestock. I however do not see any area where GiveDirectly deserves a change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on paying fees of KES 3500 for my four kids in primary schools. They have been staying home for weeks because of the arrears which was a demotivation to them. Later on, I bought building poles, threads and the labour charges at a total of KES 17000. I had intended to build a new house because the previous one was a small grass thatched hut. During the rainy season, we could be rained on hence affecting our health. I am so happy that there is no more stress and suffering. Additionally, my kids have ample space to study at night unlike before. This is an assurance that their performance shall improve. Also, I bought eight goats at KES 3000 which I trust will be of help, especially for my kid's education journey. With the remaining amount of money, I bought food for my five family members and other basic household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 am when I heard a message tone from my phone. Since I do not know how to read, I consulted my helper who told me that the message was a transfer message from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with the good news knowing that the plans I had were going to work out.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I was sleeping in a grass thatched house. Having an iron sheet roofed house was just a dream which I did not see it coming anytime soon. But through GiveDirectly I will sleep in an iron sheet roofed house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the first thing I did was buying some goats because it was my desire to have some livestock at home. Concerning that, I bought eight goats for KES 28000.00. I also brought 10 pieces of iron sheets for KES 9900.00. I bought these iron sheets since I wanted to build a new house because the one I had was very small to accommodate my family. Thereafter, I paid KES 3000.00 school fees for my four children are in primary school and used the remaining amount in sustaining my family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a run-down small house. It is infested by termites and it's on the verge of collapsing. I will use 50,000 KES of my transfers to purchase 24 iron sheets and pay labor charges to build a two-bedroom house for my family of three. This will shelter us from the oncoming rainy season. I will also spend 18,000 KES of the remaining amount to buy six goats at 3000 KES each. This will act as our long-term investment. The rest of the transfer will be utilized in sustaining other household needs( e.g food and school fees for my three children who are still in primary school)
What is the happiest part of your day?
Though we are facing myriad challenges, the tranquility, and understanding in my family is what I rejoice in. The fact that I find peace at home after a long tiresome day is worth celebrating. I enjoy the company of my husband and children when we convene by the hearth chatting about the day's experience in the evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of livelihood is our major impediment as a household. We depend entirely on charcoal business. Forests have depleted by the constant dry season we are experiencing. We walk longer distances looking for logs. We only manage to produce eight sacks of charcoal a fortnight which retail at 500 KES per sack. This amount can not sustain our foodstuff needs as well as school fees for our three schooling children. Two of my children who finished standard eight could not further their education due to shortage of funds.
