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
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Receiving this money has made us increase and conserve our wealth. I did not sell my livestock as usual to raise school fees for my children. Instead, my herd has expanded because I purchased the additional cow. In that regard, we shall have more livestock to sell in the future because they will probably multiply and mature. Hence, we shall afford to raise funds for educating each of our children. Thanks GiveDirect.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by offering the aid as a grant rather than a loan. As such, the target recipients avoid the otherwise tough pressures and struggles of repaying them. However, GiveDirectly does not do well by not enrolling people who are dependent on their parents/guardians yet are very needy. That is, the organization should not enroll households as a unit but could split them depending on the situation of the occupants.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 300 USD of the second on educating my 3 school-going children. I was worried about how to clear arrears that had accrued since our firstborn joined secondary school. I could easily manage to pay school fees on time when they were in primary school. Also, I utilized the remaining amount (approximately 200 USD) on purchasing a cow as an investment to ensure our future is financially safe. Since I have the required resources for rearing livestock, I thought it would be wise to acquire the cow. It will multiply and expand our wealth.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on 17th December at 1pm when I was looking after my cows and I heard a message notification on my phone. On checking that it was GiveDirectly transfer, I was very excited since we had been eagerly waiting for it. My heart warmed up since I knew good things lay ahead of me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My children were very happy when they were going to school as they had everything they needed and school fees having been paid. Previously, they went to school knowing that they would be sent back home for not having paid school fees in full. Thank you GiveDirectly and may you be blessed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid school fees for my children and bought a heifer. I also added more money to my business where I buy and sell cattle.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My main source of income is the profit I get from trading livestock. This business has been doing well but due to a lot of expenses I have, it has not been enough to cater all. I have one child at the secondary level and two at the primary level. Annually, I am supposed to pay 90,000 shillings as school fees and other school necessities. Since education is the key to success I have been aspiring to provide for them the best education. Receiving this money will assist me to clean the arrears and also the use the remaining boost my business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I am trading livestock we usually visit various markets in our area for trade. Mostly, in the evening we count on our profit. This business have been productive since I started. During evening hours I am happy because I know atleast my family will have food in the table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced is lack of enough food. In the past, we usually depend on subsistence farming but due to prolonged drought it has not been doing well. After sharing our family land I was given 1 acre to farm and this has been producing 2 bags of maize or non sometimes unlike before I used to harvest nearly 10 bags. Due to this sometimes my family can forge some meals and this has been stressing me as a breadwinner.
