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 ($441 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I do not have any new goals now. I am focusing on paying school fees for my children in secondary school. I wish to see them complete their studies well without any disturbances.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Most of the people who received the transfer spend it well and this has improved their standard of living. They are now living a better life unlike before. Most were able to pay school fees for their children in various schools, purchased dairy cows and invest in various businesses that earn them some income daily among many other projects.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 38,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. This was my main concern because I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly for me. I used to spend KES 50 per day on milk. I do not have any stable source of income and this was a real struggle for me. I depend on small-scale farming and casual jobs in the village. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and it is for basic household needs and school fees for my children in secondary school. I had no extra money to save so that I can buy a dairy cow. Currently, my family gets enough milk and unlike before. I save the money that I would have used to buy milk for other basic household needs. I spent KES 9,000 on paying school fees for my two children in secondary school. They are now studying well without being sent home like before. I wish to see a better performance this academic year since they have not missed any lessons. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and household items that we did not have.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($470 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy and proud of GiveDirectly for finally honoring the promise they had given me during enrollment. It was late in the evening around 6 o'clock when I received a message that confirmed the receipt of my first transfer. Together with my family, we were all happy and had to make plans to collect in the nearby shopping center that evening. We were grateful that the plans we had been having were finally coming to pass.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the ease of payment of school fees for my children after receiving the first transfer. Without the support, this would not have been possible since I had no other means apart from selling the only livestock that had been providing milk for my family. Even though I never invested in other assets that I can see, it is a good feeling that my child is enjoying ample study time in school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Just after collecting my first transfer from the nearby shopping center, I spent KES 38000 on paying school fees for my daughter, who was transitioning from primary to secondary school. I was happy that this support came when I had nothing in my account and would have sold the only cow that had been providing milk for my family of nine. In addition, I also spent KES 6000 on clearing the arrears that my elder child had in her former school. All along, she could not collect her completion certificates because of that missing amount, but I am glad that she has them now and can comfortably use them in applying for other opportunities. I spent part of the remaining on buying household goods and saved the remaining for the other projects, yet to pick up when I receive the second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money relates to living a debt-free life. I have 4 school-going children; 2 in the primary level and 2 in the secondary level. Since we have been relying on farming which has since become unreliable due to the maize necrosis disease, I have been unable to settle the school expenses of my children. The school fees arrears have accrued to KES 15,000 and that has given me sleepless nights. Having managed to be enrolled today has brought a lasting joy of satisfaction because I will clear the school arrears using the transfer. I will spend the remaining cash to clear the school fees for the next term .
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a son who is in secondary level sitting for his final exam and this is what has brought happiness to my life. Even though I have school fees arrears that have accrued to KES 9,000, he was allowed to sit for his examination. The school head was lenient enough after explaining to him that I have financial problems.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge we are currently facing. Over the past 10 years, we have been unable to harvest sufficient maize from our farms due to maize necrosis disease. Our maize production has greatly reduced to 2 bags of maize in our 1.5 acres of land. Initially, we used to harvest approximately 10 bags of it in the same piece of land. Since we rely on maize as a staple food, we are forced to buy it KES 3,300 per bag which is hardly enough to take us for one month. Having to spend more cash on food is the most distressing situation we have been living with.
