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 ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to start small vegetables and dry fish vending business. I had wished to sell vegetables like tomatoes, kales, and sukuma wiki which will earn me some income that will support my daughter's education. Currently, l am struggling to feed my family of 5 members because I am jobless and depended on casual labour.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Givedirectly did well in sending the cash transfer directly to our phones. They send the transfer as they promised at the expected time frame which helped us to plan ourselves well. I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my recent transfer to construct a decent shelter for my 4 big children. The house that they were residing in earlier was old and collapsing that posses a great risk to their lives. I bought the required building materials such as 18 iron sheets and timbers. In addition, I use KES 15,000 to clear the fee arrears as well as starting the term one fees for my daughter who is in a boarding secondary school. I also used the remaining amount to purchase 2 goats for KES 10,000 to boost my livestock rearing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($509 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 9 am when I heard notification in my phone. After checking it was Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt very happy for receiving my transfer because I have never received such huge amount of money in my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had sold most of my livestock to cater for the educational needs of my kids. The biggest difference in my daily life is I have been able to boost my small scale livestock rearing job something that I could not have done without the GiveDirectly aid. I am now assured that my children will be able to acquire quality education up to collage level without much struggle. My plan is to sale the offspring once they reproduce to pay for my kid school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I depend on livestock rearing as my source of income for my family. I have desired to boost my farming by adding more livestock because I sold most of them to educate my 3 children. Now, the elder child is in collage, the second one in secondary and youngest is primary school. I spent my transfer to purchase 5 goats and a cow which cost me a total $450 .I also use the remaining amount to clear the fee arrears for my kids.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition has been to clear all the school fees for my child who is in secondary school,but due to financial challenges this dream has not come true. Receiving this transfer means fulling my desire. I am planning to spend 60,000 shillings to clear all the arrears, this is going to enable her settle and study with easy because she will not be sent home again. I believe that she is going to pass and proceeds to college. Other than that,I am planning to spend the remaining amount to purchase a pair of oxen and plough. This is going to enable me harvest a lot of food because they can cultivate a big piece of land. Also I will hire them to my neighbours during rain season in 1 acre I can make 2500 shillings. This is going to generate income to my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day. It as at this time when I am energetic and I can work and provide for my children needs such as food. Unlike in the afternoon when its too hot.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a realible source of income is my biggest challenge. I am a carpenter at our nearby center. In a day I make 600 shillings this is not enough to cater for all our needs thus making us having large school fees balance.
