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
55000 KES ($436 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming years, my ambition is to start a business in which I will be selling maize in our local market. This is because it has a ready market. I intend to save money from my casual work to fund this dream. Also, if we happen to find another donor who can sponsor us in the same way that the organization did. Above all, I am thankful for what I have accomplished thus far.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We were delighted from the start because we knew that the assistance would empower us. The field officers spoke to us politely and allowed us to ask questions, which were well answered. Everything went smoothly in my opinion, so I don't see where they need to improve.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Raising school fees for my children has proven to be a difficult task. This is because I am a widow with seven children. To make ends meet, I rely on a temporary job. I have three children in high school and one in junior secondary, and I have been paying school fees in installments, which has resulted in school fee arrears. As a result, when I received my transfer, I used $300 to pay the fees arrears. In addition, I spent the remaining funds on groceries and clothing. I am so relieved that a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I will be able to relax for a while because I have paid for the entire school year, which was not the case previously. I will be eternally grateful for the help that significantly improved our lives.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember it was around 8:30 Am I was just checking my phone little did I know there was a message from GiveDirectly. When I read the message I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. It was one of the happiest mornings I have ever had in my life. I immediately inform My family members and everyone was happy. I knew I would be able to fulfil my dream of building a better house. We went with my son to withdraw the money the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Building a better and more spacious house is the biggest difference in my daily life. We lived in a small grass thatched house which could not host all my family members comfortably. This was so stressful and discouraging. I had always wished to own a better house but the challenge was the money to buy the building material. I depend on farming, I do plant vegetables and beans. This is majorly for consumption but I sell the surplus to earn an income to meet other household expenses. I had no extra savings to purchase the building materials. Currently, I have a better and more spacious house and I no longer get worried. Whenever I have visitors I have a space to host them comfortably. My children do their assignments well and have their privacy unlike before. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 to purchase building materials and build a better and more spacious house for my family. We lived in a small grass thatched house which could not host all my family well. currently, I have a decent house and I am so grateful for the support. I spend the remaining amount on food and clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved housing. I live in an old grass-thatched house that leaks when it rains. Sleeping during the rainy season makes sleeping a nightmare as we keep shifting looking for a place where it leaks less. Getting grass to rethatch is also a challenge and very expensive. My house needs around 40 bundles of grass each at KES 150. I have desired to have an iron-roofed house to solve this problem permanently. So when I receive this transfer I will spend KES 45000 to build a more spacious iron-roofed house and the remaining I will use to pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite having lost a job in vending water due to increased rainfall, however, I got a casual job weeding people's farms. This has brought joy and happiness into my life since my children cannot go to bed hungry. The little money I earn of KES 450 per day I divide among my basic needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is the lack of school fees for my children. I do casual jobs in school vending water used in cooking where I am paid KES 3000 per month. However, this only happens when we are experiencing drought. At the moment it is raining which has rendered me jobless. This has been brought fear as my children are constantly being sent home to collect school fees. As an alternative during the rainy season, I work in people's farms weeding but my income is also low and I spend on purchasing food for my children amongst other basic needs.
