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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My son who is in highschool and been sent home two days prior to receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly due to an outstanding debt I had in tuition fee which amounted to about KES 28,000. I burn and sell charcoal for a living and most times the money I make is not enough to feed the family and pay tuition. But I still get the chance to save some money from my job and before receiving the transfers I had about KES 11,000 of my own that I had saved. So when I received the funds I added them to the money I had stored away making it KES 14,000 and luckily the next day I sent my son back to school and they let him in with the promise that I would continue to look for more money to clear the debt.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of helping the needy in society. I am very happy that the money is going to uplift my life and has opened for me opportunities to think big and invest the money in projects that will enrich our lives and get us out in the current situation of poverty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a daughter who is currently in form 1. She has a fee balance amounting to KSH 14000. Since I have no job and neither does my husband it has been hard for us to raise such an amount. My husband does manual jobs after he lost his job due to the effects of the pandemic. The money he earns from doing these jobs is not enough to support the family in terms of food and also pay school fees for my daughter. We have used the negotiation tactic previously so that our daughter can stay and continue with her education. The tactic is currently not working and we have to pay the remaining data so that our daughter can continue with her education. When I received the transfer I spent it all on paying school fees. I did so that my daughter can be able to remain in school and continue with her education smoothly without any interruptions
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I wanted to call a friend of mine to ask for a loan so that I could pay school fees for my kids. Just before I could press the call button I received a notification on my phone. I first decided to look at it before finishing the call. Upon looking I found that I had received cash. I was very happy. I thanked God for the miracle that had just happened
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There is a big difference in that I was able to pay school fees for my kids. I now have peace of mind. I do not think a lot like I used to do previously. Before receiving cash I was thinking of taking a loan which would add more stress into my life but currently, I am at peace knowing that my kids are in school and I do not have any loan to pay.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the current economic conditions in the country, my spouse and I have no jobs and what we do to survive is manual and casual jobs which are hard to get these days. We have been struggling with life and we even skip meals to survive the harsh economic conditions. My kids had been sent home to come for school fees and had now stayed home for the last two days. I was at crossroads and did not know what to do next. I had tried all means to secure a job but all my efforts were futile. Then GiveDirectly came through and helped me out. I spent the whole KSH 1200 on paying school fees for my kids since that was a priority to me at that time. I want my kids to learn and have a good future for themselves.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Education for my daughter is my priority. I wouldn't be happy to see her become a housewife like me and her three elder sisters. Our life is very difficult because we look up to our husbands for every provision and I view it as a burden. I desire to see her become empowered enough to enjoy financial independence in the future. With regards to this, I will be channeling all my transfers to her school fees until completion.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Now that my entire family is away, I am a lonely person. The only time that I get company is when my daughter is on holiday. However, one of my daughters visited recently with her family and I was excited to see them. Spending time with my grandchildren made me a happy grandma.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After being diagnosed with stomach ulcers, the doctor advised that I should shun any labor-intensive activities. But how am I supposed to follow these instructions yet casual jobs are my source of income? This has affected my chances of recovery and I suffer frequent attacks. I do not even have money to seek a permanent medical solution and I have to deal with the endless pain. This is condition is the challenge that I have to deal with every day of my life.
