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?
It was on the second day after the transfers were out when I received a call from my daughter-in-law confirming whether I received my transfer since she had received hers. I called one of my sons to check for me because I do not know how to read. He confirmed that the money had been in my account for the last two days. I felt so happy for getting such an amount at a time when I needed it most. I was lying in bed not feeling well but I felt energized and woke up and sat on the bed due to the happiness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I relied on making and selling charcoal till when I was diagnosed with a serious illness that the doctor prohibited me from doing tiresome jobs like the one for charcoal. Thereafter, I started getting depression since I had no source of income and my child needed to go to school, and also the family needed some food. Luckily, I received the transfer from GiveDirectly which enabled me to clear the term fees for my child as well as have food security for the family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I first bought a bed for KES 9000.00 and a mattress for KES 5300.00. The reason to purchase these items is that I had been sleeping on a small traditional bed whose ropes are cut and it was uncomfortable to sleep on. I also paid KES 13000.00 school fees for my secondary school child so that he is retained in school for the proper learning process. Thereafter, I saved some amount which will cater for his school fees soon as well as buying food for the family.
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access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a daughter who is in the third year at secondary schooll whose academic performance has been affected due to staying at home as a result of schooll fees. I am planning to spend KES 70,000 to clear the fees balance and pay her for the final year so that she can have a good time studying. The remaining amount is going to help me renovate my house and buy beddings so as to replace the old ones. In the end, it will fulfill my heart with fondness because my child will be settled and focus on her goal of passing exams as well as peace of mind to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I will be lying if I say that I am not happy. Each day come up with a different challenge. However, the coming of givedirectly has made me feel happy the most. This is because I had been hearing about it from neighboring villages the way their lives are transformed is amazing. Now that it is here, mine too will improve.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife depending on my husband who does charcoal production as the source of income for the family. The work is energy-draining and the income he gets per month is KES 3000. The money is not enough for the education of my daughter. Due to this sometimes, she stays home longer as I wait for the sale of charcoal which leads to low performance in her studies. It is for this reason that I consider the lack of money as the main challenge I am currently facing.
