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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I was able to pay school fees for my son who was in form four last year. I do casual jobs in the village and sometimes to get this jobs is so hard. My spouse too do this casual jobs. The amount of money that we get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family. My son could be sent home to collect the school fees and this was affecting his performance since lessons were on going. When I paid the school fees he had enough time to study well without being sent home. This improved his performance in school, currently he is planning to join college soon. I also saved some money for my daughter who is joining form one this year. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled us to achieved our dreams. We are so grateful for the support.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to pay school fees for their children. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on school fees for my son who was in form four. I am so happy because my son was able to do his exams without being sent home to collect the school fees. I also bought sofa set seats which I didn't have. My house look so decent now and whenever I have visitors I host them comfortably. I settled the debts that I had borrowed to pay hospital bills. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On 17th December at 1pm while attending a church meeting, a message beeped in everyone's phone and on checking, we all saw that it was GiveDirectly transfer and we all rejoiced with happiness. After that everyone in the meeting looked very happy and looked forward to leaving to get home to their families.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I now live in a good house as compared to a small grass thatched one that I used to live in. I also had a lot of school fees arrears for my children and I was happy to clear those arrears thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We built a house with iron roof and paid school fees for my children . I also bought food and clothes for my children and my husband and few utensils.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a casual laborer and that's what I do to get money to feed my family. My wife is a small-scale trader who buys and sells vegetables in the village for a small profit. Receiving this money would mean that we focus all our energy on producing vegetables in our farm and since my wife is already an experienced trader she'll be able to sell these vegetables and make more profit.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning because I usually feel energetic. Most of my days I usually spend on casual jobs which require energy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have three children in secondary school and all of them require a total of USD. 450 annually for their school fees. I depend on casual jobs which aren't not usually guaranteed thus this makes it so difficult for me to raise their school fees. Sometimes I am worried they might drop out of school and lead a life like mine which I don't really want.
