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.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($305 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal is to channel my efforts towards constructing a home for my children and delving into tomato farming. To bring this vision to success, my strategy involves selling some of my goats and using the proceeds to make this dream a reality. I am grateful for the support that has played a significant role in enhancing my quality of life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am overjoyed by how the unconditional nature of the transfer has significantly empowered my life. It provided me with the opportunity to use the funds according to my specific needs. From the moment we were enrolled, the organization executed its operations flawlessly. Right from the beginning, we were treated as valued individuals, and the level of service we received was exceptional. I am profoundly grateful for the support we received during our most challenging times.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I depend on farming as our primary source of income, and together, we have nine children. Managing school fees has always been a challenging endeavor due to our limited financial resources. This struggle often resulted in our children being sent home from school, causing them to miss classes. Upon receiving my transfer, I spent $300 to cover the secondary school fees for three of my children, which was a significant relief. Additionally, I used the remaining $140 to purchase essential food supplies for our household, addressing another pressing concern. I am eternally grateful to GiveDirectly for this remarkable milestone in my life.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($325 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?
My determination is fueled by the understanding that education is a transformative force that can break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for a better life. I believe that investing in my children's education is an investment in their future, providing them with the tools to achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society
So with the support of unconditional transfers, I am determined to ensure that my children have access to quality education by covering their school fees in full.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly has demonstrated commendable efforts in ensuring transparency and fairness in the onboarding process for all recipients. This commitment to equitable procedures within the villages has fostered a sense of responsibility and financial accountability among us. Moreover, the consistent follow-up conducted by Give Directly officers has played a crucial role in promoting peaceful coexistence among community members.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family and I have been living in an old, dilapidated house and recognizing the need for a safe and comfortable living space, I decided to allocate a significant portion of the unconditional transfers to build a new house. With $300, I purchased iron sheets and wisely employed local labor, paying them a fair wage of $ 100 for their services to construct a sturdy and reliable dwelling that would replace the old one. This investment in our home not only provided us with a safer and more comfortable environment but also instilled a sense of pride and dignity.
With $50 I purchased food, guaranteeing that my loved ones would have access to nutritious meals for about one month.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($134 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so much happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. It was around 3:00 pm when I received money from GiveDirectly. I had earlier heard my phone ring but was not quick in checking what the message was. I felt happy that I was finally going to send back my child to school having overstayed at home. The amount of money that I had at that time was hardly enough to make ends meet and this had stressed me out a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fact that I am happier than I have ever been before. Looking at the things that I have been able to accomplish makes me just happy. I can only say I am a very happy person having taken my child to school and the fact that I can now afford to plan on what to do. This has made me and my family quite happy
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $120 to pay school fees for my child who is now in standard 8. I then used $50 to buy building posts. We have been living in an old delapidated house for the longest time since we have been unable to raise enough money to build a better house. I feel so much happy that I am finally going to be able to put up a better house. I am a mother of 8 children and meeting all their needs can sometimes be overwhelming. It is for this reason that I feel so much indebted for what GiveDirectly has done for us.
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Getting the transfers will be of great assistance to my family and me. Since we don't have food, I plan to purchase one bag of maize at 50 dollars and half a bag of beans at 40 dollars. This will ensure that we have enough food for months and my children will not go hungry. I also plan to pay school fees for my children, Arnet, Shanice, and Augustine who are in secondary school totaling about 500 dollars. With the remaining amount, I will build a house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past six months, my joy has come from my farming. We were able to plant half and acre of land and it delights me because I know that my tomorrow is secure. I'm happy because when the maize is harvested we shall have food and also money for basic needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our family is faced with a lot of challenges currently. In 2014, my husband was attacked by thugs which led to his hospitalization for three years. This led to the sale of all livestock and since then we have been struggling. I'm faced with the challenge of a lack of food and school fees for our children. Since I'm the only one they depend on for provisions they sometimes end up going hungry and my children are sent home because of a lack of tuition fees. Additionally, our houses are in a very bad state and we are forced to live this way because of lack of money to construct new structures. The challenges I'm faced with really stress me and I feel ashamed that I have to live this way.
