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?
Honestly, the cash transfers have allowed me to sustain school fee payments for my two daughters in form three and grade four. Over the last three months, I spent $76 to settle their school fees, enabling them to continue their studies without interruptions. Additionally, I used $9 to purchase uniforms and school shoes for the younger one, addressing the issue of her outgrowing her old school attire. Now, she wears comfortable and decent clothing to school. There was a time when we had not yet harvested, and food was a constant challenge in the household. So, I directed $17 towards buying food, ensuring we had at least one meal a day. This was also a much-needed relief for my husband, our breadwinner. Relying on house construction jobs, his earnings are quite unreliable, and I am grateful that the cash transfers fill these gaps. The funds have lifted a heavy burden, particularly in terms of our girls' school fees, and I am extremely grateful for the support.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before the cash transfers end, I aim to have built a house, which is my current focus. I currently reside in a one-room house, shared with my husband and two girls. This single room also serves as a kitchen structure. As we age, I feel it would be more respectable to have a two-room house so that the girls can have their own space. I desire one that is constructed with mud walls and iron sheet roofs. However, the income from my small kiosk business and my husband's earnings from casual jobs in house construction are insufficient for this project. Therefore, I plan to channel most of the cash transfers toward realizing this dream.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In the past three months, the majority of the cash transfers have been allocated to purchasing food. Unfortunately, I could not cultivate my farm when the rains began because I was taking care of my ailing mother, who was away from the village. Consequently, while others are enjoying their harvest, I've had to rely on buying food for sustenance. The cash transfers have been crucial in ensuring that my family has enough to eat and have helped supplement the limited income my husband earns from his casual jobs in town. During this period, I spent $59 solely on purchasing food. I also contributed $40 towards my two children's school fees, as they were at risk of missing out on their studies if their fee balances had not been cleared. Additionally, I used $3 to buy a chicken to raise it. I am grateful that since my household began benefiting from the cash transfers, we rarely go without food, my children hardly miss school, and I now have two chickens.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to build a new, spacious house. Currently, we live in a small shelter with only one room. This cramped space is shared by my three children and my husband when he visits the village from his work in town. Having a larger house would provide everyone with their own space and privacy. I hope that the cash transfers will help me realize my dream of building a two-room house. Although the funds are currently constrained by the need for food and school fees for our three children, I'm hopeful that I'll have an opportunity to start saving for the new house before the transfer period ends.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With no reliable source of income from both my husband and I, life had never been that easy. We have been struggling to make ends meet like paying school fees for our children, buying food and catering for other necessities. GiveDirectly coming into our lives had been quite a blessing to my family because we had managed so far to provide for our children to the extent that we could. The transfers had been of great help and with the most recent one, I managed to pay school fees worth $14 to 3 of my children who had been sent home and I felt a great relief. I also bought food for my family worth $20.70 and I felt so happy because we now have enough stock to take us for some weeks without getting worried.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to have a bigger house. I have a family of five, and the house that we currently operate in is a bit small, my husband and I have been struggling to save a little amount of money so that we could construct a bigger house, but the amount had never been enough. My plan was therefore to continue saving part of my monthly transfers so that by the end of the next three months, we shall have started the construction.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a major part of my most recent transfers on paying school fees for my two children, one in high school and the other in primary school. I am grateful because I no longer struggle to pay their fees, which has allowed them to continue with their studies without any interference. I also spent the transfer on buying food for my family. We have been hit by a drought that has made it impossible for us to engage in farming like we used to do. We are now forced to buy food in spite of our low financial status. I am happy that, despite the challenges, I am able to buy enough food to last for a few weeks every month. Lastly, I bought two chickens that I am currently keeping. I am expecting that they will multiply and that I can sell them in case of a financial problem, such as raising fees for my children.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current goal is to ensure that my children's education is not interrupted because of fee arrears. I have been struggling to raise fees for them, so receiving the monthly transfer is a big relief to me. I am hoping that they will continue with their studies undisturbed and realize their educational goals. Currently, I do not have a source of income that can help with paying the fees and I am relying on the transfers hence my plan is to ensure that I pay for them on time.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Dhahabu, my daughter, is currently in fourth grade. She had been sent home a day before the transfer date due to my inability to raise her school fees on time. I spent $10 on her school fees as soon as I received my transfer. I am glad that, thanks to the transfer, my daughter was able to continue her education even though she only had to pay a portion of the tuition. Furthermore, since I did not have food, I used the remainder to buy food for my family. As a result, my family and I had enough food to last us two weeks.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Drought has really taken a toll us back here in the village, especially considering that most of us were subsistence farmers and depended on the harvest to feed ourselves and our families. That is why when I received the money I decided to look into nourishment and I purchased ten packets of maize flour for KES 1,400. I then went ahead and bought child a new pair of school uniform for KES 550 since he was about to join high-school. I plan on using the balance of KES 1,000 to pay tuition fee for my son as well because I have a debt in tuition fee that I am yet to clear.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am extremely grateful with the mere fact that through this organisation and the donations I receive I have managed to keep my children in school. My kids would miss out a lot when it came to their academics before due to lack of funds. That is why I praise GiveDirectly for its generosity because this organisation has given is hope.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my entire cash to buy stationeries and school shoes for my daughter who is going to the high-school for the first time.My husband who I solely depend on works as a casual laborer in construction sites in another town.His flow of income has been inconsistent and hence with a family of four children in school,it has been a struggle for him to support them all. I have tried working as a charcoal burner but with a bag going for KES 300 after two weeks of hard work, have not been making any difference in our financial issues.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My husband work as a casual worker in a construction site is not guaranteed and on good days he will send me KES 1500 in two weeks.Givedireclty support program will change my life because I can ensure my children can have undisrupted time at school with the monthly cash transfers. I also live in a small house that is not conducive and enough for me and my four children. I have plans to budget the income received from my husband and that of GiveDirectly to ensure we have a three roomed mudhouse and atleast manage the food insecurity issue in my home.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I woke up in the middle of the night to relieve myself, I saw a message received from Mpesa.Due to my illiteracy, had to wake up my daughter to translate the message. When my daughter confirmed to me about the funds ,I was too excited and happy to find sleep that night.The next day we woke up early to withdraw the cash together with my daughter.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising school fees for my children is a nightmare. You can imagine the ordeal of staying with children at home who cannot join higher institutions of learning due to lack of money. I have 2 sons who wanted to join school for vocational training. Their dreams are yet to pass due to the unavailability of tuition fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had a dream of becoming a renowned goat keeper in my village. The journey commenced in September last year when bought 3 goats. Through charcoal burning, I continued to add a few animals as the months went by. I am glad to say that I am currently a proud owner of 10 goats. Being able to acquire such several livestock in six months is so motivating.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Goat keeping has turned out to be the best income-generating activity in this area. This is because, unlike cows, they are drought tolerant. Receiving this money will help in my children's education through livestock production. I already have 10 goats but I would want to use this money to buy 10 more at a total cost of 25,000 KES. With 20 animals, raising school fees will no longer be a headache. Optimistically, the goats will grow and multiply thus fetching a higher buying price translating to a huge income once sold.