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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home with my children who were on a long holiday. I was outside my house preparing myself before engaging in my daily household chore. It was exactly 6 am when I heard the message notification on my phone since I had left it in my house. I called my helper to check my phone and informed me that I had received my transfer. I was so excited for receiving my transfer because I was very sure that I will be able to enroll my child in a driving college.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Able to support my kid's educational needs is the biggest difference in my daily life. I am pleased that I am enjoying peace of mind after admitting my firstborn to a school. I am no longer worried about the children's future lives. In addition, I was able to construct a latrine for my family. I do not need to walk to the bush every night something that makes me feel more secure unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For more than 3 years, I had desired to take my kid to a college after completing her secondary school education but I lacked the finances. This troubled my mind since he could not secure any job without the required skills. After receiving my transfer, I spent 35000 to take my kids to a heavy commercial driving school. I am currently optimistic that he will be able to secure a nice job after completing his driving course. In addition, I used KES 10,000 to support the education of my kid who is in secondary school. His education was constantly being interrupted due to the huge fee arrears. I used the remaining amount to complete the construction of my latrine which I had started but it stopped due to inadequate cash. Previously, I had to walk to the bush which was very risky at night.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a child who's in form three high school. We have been struggling a lot to pay his school fees of about 5000 KES per academic term. This is because I have a total of seven children; two in high school, one is still waiting to join a college, and the rest are in primary school. Our family doesn't have a good source of income. My husband who is the sole breadwinner is just a casual employee of a particular construction company. He is a driver earning a weekly wage of 3000 KES. At this rate, he can't afford school fees comfortably. When I get this money, I will pay school fees for my children in high school and also take the eldest to college.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I remember last year December when my husband managed to earn about 7000 KES weekly through some tricks. This was my happiest time because we had enough for food as well as settling school fees areas we had at that time. During that month he realized he could use compo vehicles to offer unofficial logistic services for a good earning. He made a kill for that time but it ended up being short lived as came so fast.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Inadequacy of financial resources still plagues every effort I make towards educating my children. My husband works as a driver earning a meagre weekly wage of 3000 KES. On the other hand I also constantly struggle to eek out his income by burning and selling charcoal. Together we're still not able to afford life. Raising money for my children's education is still a problem, and most of the days we even have to skip meals to stretch the limited resources to cover a whole month.
