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 ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After achieving most of the desires that I had with the transfer, apparently, I do not have any other goal after boosting my economic activity of livestock rearing. I am glad that for being able to achieve a lot with the transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for coming into the community and targeting poor households with cash transfers. Through the aid, there is numerous development in our village as we used it wisely to better our living conditions.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the transfer to boost my goat rearing by purchasing 5 more for KES 17,000. This is our reliable source of living and a future investment for the family. Also, I used KES 5000 to clear the fee arrears for my 3 children who are still in primary school as well as bought new school uniforms. They were wearing old and torn clothes something that was embarrassing and made the uncomfortable in school. The remaining amount assisted me to expand our shelter since it was small to fully accommodate our family of 5 members. It was even worse whenever I received visitors because I was forced to seek shelter from neighbours' houses which lowered our respect in the community.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($481 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the evening and I was from fetching water when I received the text message confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I had received the 55000 that I had been promised which enabled me to get the things that I had desired for so long to have, especially livestock, bed and mattress, as well as improving my house. I could not afford to have these addressed because I had no job and used to basically stay at home, therefore, I was very happy when I received this assistance since I had nothing to depend on to address the challenges I was facing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that there's so much progress in my life. We now get regular and decent meals which was not as possible before. I was able to settle my children's school fees arrears, got some livestock as well as a bed and mattress. I was also able to repair and improve my house, and I can now confidently and proudly say that I am sleeping in a very good place like any other person, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 36800 on repairing and improving my house because it was in a very poor state and condition, and I wanted it to be in a better condition and have more space which I did by extending a room. I couldn't afford to have my house repaired or even extend a room to create more space because I didn't have a job and was basically a stay-at-home mom, therefore, no income to enable me to address that. However, with the coming of GiveDirectly to our village and getting me to be enrolled into the program, I am now so happy that I have a good place to sleep and we are no longer worried about rain or extreme sun when sleeping at any time of the day.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I sat down with my husband and discussed what we would do with this money if by chance we were lucky enough to receive it. We both had our different needs but the one that stood out was the need for us to set up a lucrative business that was easy to learn and manage.
My husband came up with an idea of us setting up a spare parts shop that would be by the road strategically where motorcycle riders operate and if possible near a garage.
Our clientele will be the motorcycle riders and the garage attendants. They will not have to go to Mombasa or Kilifi to get different motorcycle parts that could easily be accessed in any shop.
We may not have the knowledge and skills required to run this type of business but the little experience and interest my husband has riding motorcycles will come in handy once we set it up.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I recently gave birth to my fifth-born child, my second daughter. I often have stomach problems as I approach my due date. This fifth pregnancy was no different. When I was in my sixth month, I constantly had false labor pains and I would frequently visit the hospital. In August I safely delivered my baby at Ganze hospital. All my fears were gone once I held her in my arms, what a joy it was to go back home with my healthy daughter and with no complications.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife and my husband is a palm wine tapper. His income is not always sufficient. I have five children( 2girls and 3boys). Four of them are in primary school and school fees are always a challenge. It is shameful that now and then they are sent home for the same as much as we try to ensure that they do not drop out of school.
Access to food is also a challenge. I see how my husband strives to make ends meet and when he is not able to provide food for us as a mother it is my responsibility to look or even borrow from relatives.
I always try to ensure that they at least get to meals a day, the days they have to survive on one meal are the toughest because how do you explain to a four-year-old that there is no food in the house to eat. It pains when I have to console them on the same.
