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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 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 had I not received the transfer because I have been able to clear school fees arrears for my son. Due to this, he has been able to continue with his education without any interruptions. My children have a new set of school uniforms and this has made them happier and more motivated to work harder in school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by helping everyone in our village and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a good amount from my second transfer to pay school fees for my son who is in his final year in college. I settled on this so that he can concentrate on his studies. Also, I spent some amount to buy some chicken and sheep as an investment that I can rely on in case of financial challenges. I spent the remaining amount to buy food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I paid school fees for my son who was in college. I depend on the casual jobs in the village and small scale farming to get an income to meet all the household needs including paying school fees for my children. I do horticulture farming and the income is so small and could not gather all the basic needs at once. I could do a lot of work which was straining me a lot. After receiving the money from GiveDirecly I cleared all his school fees and that enabled him to do the end year exams. My son felt so happy because he was in a position to sit for an exam. I have also reduced the casual job and devote much of my time to my own activities to generate more income to support the family. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our standard of living.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money I felt so happy. I remember it was very early in the morning when I heard a message from my phone. When I checked it I could not believe my eyes, I have never received such amount of money before. I immediately inform my spouse and children who also celebrated. I knew from that point that I would be able to pay school fees for my son who was to do exams in a week's time.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spend my first transfer to clear the school fees for my son who in college I also bought eight hens, food and the rest of the money I used it to buy a dairy cow and paid the debts that I had.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Livestock keeping is a huge income earner to most families in my community. Now that I am a beneficiary of GiveDirectly cash transfer program, addition of one prolific dairy cow to my herd is my first priority. A good one will cost me 30,000 KES. Out of these cows my children's nutrition will improve while at the same time an income is generated from sale of surplus milk, which will cater for the school fees of one of my children in a local secondary school.
15,000 KES from the first transfer will be paid to one of my son's college education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Children are a great source of joy. When they come home from school in the afternoon, we interact a lot while asking them about their day in school. It makes me happy to monitor their progress and to see my efforts to educate them paying off.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In my family, milk production is a major source of income which we rely heavily upon for our children's welfare and education. When production declines due to drought every year, our children's education is hampered. Consequently, my husband and I are forced to sell assets like sheep and goats which in most cases is at throw away prices to meet our needs. This consequential disposal of assets continue to drive my family to poverty each year. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
