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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13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($40 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am a student who has always relied on my parents and family members to meet my needs. This is because I do not have any source of income to rely on. It has been very difficult on my side asking for money every now and again especially for my most personal needs. I did not have any option but to seek help. Since I started receiving these transfers, not only have I managed to handle my personal needs without help, I am also able to support my parents in paying my college fees. I have never missed classes because of fees arrears and my life has been like that of one who is employed. I thank God for GD.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My plan, for now, is to continue using the transfers to pay for my college fees arrears. My mother has always been the one to handle all my school needs and since I started receiving these transfers, I have been supporting her in paying school fees and catering for personal needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer as fare to and from home when I went for the festive season. I had planned to visit my parents at home over the holidays when the school closed and this is the only money I was planning to use as fare.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
3997 KES ($39 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?
I had no source of income before I got enrolled in this program other than short contract jobs on promotions which I would get occasionally. I was mostly broke and had to ask for financial assistance from either my parents or friends. Ever since I started receiving the transfers, I have become more independent because these transfers can now enable me to buy my personal requirements without having to ask from anyone. I also feel proud that I can support my parents in paying part of my college fees, something that would not be possible without Give Directly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Because I go to college part-time, I have a lot of time on my hands which I plan to utilize by engaging in a small business. I have done business on clothes before and I think I would be much comfortable running it because I know much of its requirements and where to get cheaper stock. I am planning to use some of the savings I have made to set up the business this festive season where people tend to spend more on clothing. This is a way for me to get an extra income so that I can be able to support my parents more and to find something to keep me busy when am not in school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am currently in college taking a part-time course on IT and I have been using most of my transfers to support my parents in paying the college fees as they are not quite financially stable. I saved the whole amount I received this month to assist with my school requirements when we resume college next year.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($48 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from how it was before I started receiving transfers from Give Directly in that, I can now take care of my needs easily. I used to wash tents in order to get money. This was tiresome and the money was not enough to cater for all my expenses such as buying clothes. I have also been able to cater for some of my parent's needs and I feel proud because they now value me like my other siblings who are better off financially.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to save and use the money to start a business. I am planning to open a boutique because beauty products are on high demand and they are not perishable. I also know where to get the goods and from my research, I will be able to get a good amount of money because I will be buying the products at a relatively low price.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I enrolled for a computer course once I started receiving transfers from Give Directly. We are in a digital world and almost everything is computerized that is why I felt it was important to do the course. I also decided to help my parents. I sent my mother some amount for her upkeep. Apart from that, I also bought shoes and clothes because I had old ones that were in very bad condition. I finally kept the remaining amount as savings which I believe will help me in the future.
4th Payment
Transfer Amount
5000 KES ($50 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My goal is to finish my classes with minimal disruptions caused by fee breaks. That is why I save on a monthly basis for future use in case I am faced with such a challenge again I can easily withdraw my savings and pay off the arrears accrued by then.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I no longer have to miss school because of lack of school fees. I am now capable of assisting my parents to reduce the fee balance giving them ease to clear.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my recent transfer, I spent some amount on paying my school fees. My parents struggle with my fees given that they also have to sort out my younger siblings. I saved two thousand shillings and the remaining amount I spent on my personal effects as a young lady.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer I felt relieved and down deep my heart I knew my parent's burden would reduce and I will never have to miss school because of school fees.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I prioritize like that because I just finished high school recently and didn't have school fees to join college. So if I get this money I will first go to college and study merchandising. It has always been my dream to join fashion and design world and this is a good opportunity for me. Secondly, I will start a business of selling popcorn and groundnuts in the evening so that I can have stable income to support myself and also help in my school fees. Lastly, I will also save some of this cash so that at later time I can be able to invest in something big back at home to support my parents.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is violence because in most cases it always leads to death. This is always very common during post election violence especially within slums many youths lost their life due to violence. Secondly, unemployment is another concern because most youths who engage in violence is because they don't have employment and they are idle so in most cases they are being used as a tool to trigger violence. In the end they end up loosing their lives and even their families. Lastly, meeting daily needs is also my concern because if am not able to meet my needs, then it means am not accomplishing my daily goals and this can only mean that am idle which is very bad and has negative impact in my life.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition in life is at some point to own a boutique. My passion in life is in fashion and design. This will make me be independent and even employ other youths. I will be able to have a good profit and a stable income to even support the needy.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
In the morning once I wake up I prepare myself then take tea. Later I finish all household chores then go help my dad who has a hotel business around. I help him up-to around 1pm then go back at home. At my free time I go to the library and participate in different activities from dancing, modeling and sports. I am a member of the library and very active when it comes to planning and organizing the children to perform. I stay there up-to around 7pm and once all the activities are done I go back home to cook supper eat then rest.
