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 ($475 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I have goals in which I want to build a good house for myself. The house I am having currently is not in good condition and I want to improve it. I also want to buy goats for rearing purposes. I also would like to pay school fees for my school-going children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well in terms of helping every vulnerable household without having any instances of biasness. With that many people within our village and even other villages can benefit from the help and also those who truly require the help can benefit.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money in buying iron sheets, stones, cement, and nails that were used in building a new house for my family. Currently, the construction of the house is ongoing and very I will be having a good house and resting inside it. I also bought three goats. I decided to buy the goats because we are currently facing drought in our home area and with the goats, it is easier for them to survive in such conditions. I also spent a portion of the money in paying school fees for our children who are in school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 am when I was in my house relaxing. I heard loud follow-up messages on my phone. I was with my helper who confirmed that it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt very happy and thanked God for the organization that had come to our rescue. I had received a huge amount of money that would transfer our lives. We started the preparation to go to withdraw our cash with my helper since I had already planned on how to use them.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently sleeping comfortably using proper beddings which I had bought with the transfer. I am grateful for the transfer that had helped me acquiring modern beddings for my family. I am no longer feeling the pain all over my body after wake up. This has increased my performance at work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 10,000 to clear the fees arrears and paid all the term 2 fees for my 4 children who are in primary school. It is almost 2 years since I was left with the responsibility of bringing up my family single-handed after my husband neglected us. The charcoal vending job that I was doing did not provide me enough income to fully support my children's education. In addition, I purchased 3 goats to start livestock rearing a future investment for my children's education as well as the other basic needs of the family. Furthermore, I bought proper bedding for KES 18,000. Previously, we were using sacks as beddings which were not comfortable. I bought enough food with the remaining amount.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better future to my children since my desire has been to educate them to university. I have ever been worried of realizing this dream but with the arrival of GiveDirectly to our village, I am optimistic about materializing my ambition. My plan once I receive this money is to spend my first transfer of Ksh 55000 to pay all school fees for my 2 children who are in secondary school. This will give them the opportunity to settle in school and hence, a better performance. With the second transfer, I intend to spend it to buy 3 indigenous dairy cows that will act as my investment project to support my children's education in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening because it is at this time I rest from my busy day of charcoal work. It is also at this time when my kids are from school and I enjoy their company around me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial crisis is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work in order to earn money that can support my children's education. Considering this income which is very low mostly $60 per month, it can not fully cater to their school fees as well as to sustain our other basic needs like food.This has worried me for long time and I am now a happy person after knowing that, soon I will be owning cows to act as my source of income and also a store of wealth.
