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
53150 KES ($467 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 renovate my house by constructing pillars and floor so that it may be more permanent. This will reduce the burden of frequent maintenance which is relatively costly. I will solve the issues of housing once and for all and be able to force on other basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in coming up with a non-refundable cash transfer program. In addition, the cash is sent directly through Mpesa to the eligible households. With this method, it has reduced corruption and misappropriation of the aid which is a perfect way. I do not see something that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With 4 children in secondary school, providing for their educational needs has been a big challenge for me. I depend on temporary casual activity of charcoal burning. This job does not earn me enough money to feed my family as well as to cater for the children's education. They were always sent home for fee something that has impacted their performances negatively. In most instances, they are forced to engage in casual jobs after school to pay their fees. I spent KES 28,000 of the recent transfer to clear their school fees. Currently, they are happy learning with disruptions. In addition, I bought a barrel for KES 2,800 to store enough water for the family. Also, I purchased 3 plastic chairs because we were sitting on the floor which was a shameful situation whenever we received guests. With the remaining amount, I completed the renovation of my kitchen.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 o'clock I was in the bush herding my livestock. I heard a message notification on my phone and being illiterate, I had to wait until 11 o'clock when I returned home for my helper to check my phone. Upon reaching home, I called my son to explain to me the content of the message. I was extremely happy when he informed me that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I had eagerly awaited for the transfer to transform my life for the better.
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 spending my nights on proper modern beddings after acquiring one with the help of my transfer. Previously, I was using a traditional bed and using sacks as bedding which was not comfortable to use. This causes my body to have discomfort after sleep something that would ruin my daily performance at work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase building materials including 12 irony sheets and nails. This was for renovating the roof of my kitchen because it was leaking and I was forced to cook in my house during the rainy season. In addition, I spent KES 5000 to purchase household utensils like plates, spoons. Furthermore, I used KES 15000 to support my 4 children's educational needs, they are in secondary school and I had been struggling to educate them. In addition, I purchase proper beddings for myself for KES 12,000 since I was using a traditional threads bed which was uncomfortable to sleep on. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing enough food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means education for my children. I have been facing alot of struggles in paying for my children's school fees. The fact that I am jobless and at the same time expected to pay school fees for my four children in secondary school sounds like a nightmare. Immediately I receive the transfer, I will set aside KES 40,000 to pay for my children school fees; each to get KES 10,000. I will use the balance from the transfer to furnish my house. My house is unfurnished for example I don't have a bed. I will buy everything needed in the house and doing all this will make me happy because I will have fulfilled what I have always desired to.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. I am going through alot of challenges in life. Sometimes I even loose hope about life. However, I am always happy whenever I wake up in the morning alive and healthy. This gives me the energy to fend for my family and at the same time some hope that all will be well.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life has been lack of money to pay for my children school fees. I have been struggling to cater for my children school fees given that I am jobless. My desire has always been to see my children get quality education so that they can lead a better life in the future. However, seeing my children at home due to the lack of school fees really pains me. This has consequently affected their academic performance in school.
