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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the years ahead, my top priority is to ensure my children receive a solid education. They are currently in the final stages of secondary school, and completing in a few years. To support their esducation journey, I plan to use a portion of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly for their school fees, while also lending a helping hand to their elder brothers who are contributing as well. Once one of my children graduates next year, I have an exciting plan in mind. I intend to redirect those funds into our local savings group. My goal is to invest in goats, envisioning a future where they multiply and flourish. This not only provides a potential source of income but also secures a safety net for my children's education when this program concludes. I am genuinely thankful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has been instrumental in our lives. With hope and determination, I look forward to building a brighter future for my family!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have two children in secondary school, and it's crucial for me to pay their school fees to ensure they can continue their education without interruption. Recently, I spent $60 on their school fees, in addition to what their elder brothers are contributing. It brings me joy to see my children settled and focused on their studies. In addition to this, I saved another $15 in our local savings group. My plan is to use some of that money to buy goats by the end of the year, hoping they will multiply and provide support in the future. I also intend to keep some of the money from the savings for next year's school fees when the new term begins after the holiday break. Finally, I spent the remaining $27 on food for my family to ensure we do not go hungry. I am truly grateful for the support that GiveDirectly is providing us during this time.
24th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year and beyond, my greatest hope is to focus on educating my children so that they can grow into responsible, independent individuals, similar to their elder siblings. I envision a future where each child has the tools they need to succeed, equipped with knowledge and skills that will open doors for them. This year, I plan to invest more in their education, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to excel in school. With dedication and hard work, I aim to see their academic achievements flourish, leading them to better opportunities and a brighter future. As they grow, I believe their education will empower them to stand on their own, contribute positively to the society, and achieve their dreams. This vision keeps me motivated and hopeful, knowing that the investment I make in their education today will pay off for years to come.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am actively involved in community work as a volunteer, and sometimes we receive small stipends to support ourselves. My husband is very ill and unable to work, so I rely on my two eldest sons, who are employed by the government. When I received the last three transfers, I knew I had to use the money wisely to support my family. First, I paid $60 for school fees for my two youngest children. Although their elder siblings contribute to their education, I felt it was important to lend a hand and ensure they have the best chance at success. Education is the key to their future, and I wanted to contribute to that. After taking care of the school fees, I saved $15 with a local savings group, thinking ahead to any unforeseen circumstances that might arise. It’s always good to have something set aside for the future. I also contributed $15 along with other family members, and together, we bought a sack of maize to sustain our extended family. To help with our monthly food needs, we each contribute $5, which ensures we have enough to eat. Finally, with the remaining $12, I bought some personal effects, small items that I needed but had been postponing. These transfers have been a lifeline, allowing me to take care of essential needs and plan for the future, even as we navigate these challenging times.
21st Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, I hope to achieve something truly significant for my family's future. My dream is to buy a dairy cow with the help of GiveDirectly. This cow will be a source of milk for us, which means we won't have to buy milk anymore, saving us money. Plus, we can sell some of the milk to our neighbors, providing us with a steady income. This investment will not only improve our daily nutrition but also give us financial stability. I believe that having a dairy cow will open up more opportunities for us, like being able to afford better education for my children and improving our home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a parent, there's nothing more important than seeing your children succeed, so the first thing I did out of the recent $102, I used $60 to pay the school fees for my two kids in secondary school. Knowing they could continue their education without interruption was a huge relief. With $27, I bought food and detergents, ensuring we had enough to eat and could keep our home clean and comfortable.
I also decided to save 1,500 shillings each month. My goal is to buy a goat by the end of the year, which will be a valuable asset for our family. Though I depend on my two sons who work for the government to help us get by, this cash transfer has given me the chance to stand on my own feet a bit more. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for bringing this positive change into our lives and giving us hope for a better future.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My objective is to ensure the uninterrupted education of my children. I aim to provide financial assistance by covering their school fees throughout their secondary school education. The support we are currently receiving has been instrumental in preventing instances where my children were sent home due to unpaid fees. The situation before we began receiving these transfers was challenging, as my children would often miss more than a week of school due to financial constraints. I am pleased that, thanks to the ongoing financial support, my children are now experiencing a conducive and stable environment that enhances their ability to excel in their education.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My son is currently in Form 2, while my daughter is in Form 3, attending different boarding secondary schools. Monthly, I allocate $20 from my transfers to partially cover their school fees. Despite working as a field health officer, I have not secured permanent employment with the government, resulting in me earning a modest income. The current financial returns from my job are insufficient to adequately support the education of both my children in school, especially considering my husband's inability to contribute due to illness. Fortunately, I am fortunate to have assistance from my two older children, who contribute to the payment of their siblings' school fees. The remaining $42 from my transfers is used to purchase food for myself. I express deep gratitude and happiness for the financial support received through the transfers, as it plays a pivotal role in ensuring the education of my children is sustained.
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My most cherished aspiration is to witness the successful completion of my children's secondary school education and watch them embark on their chosen academic journeys. Their dreams and aspirations have always been my top priority, and I am committed to providing them with every opportunity and resource they need to excel. I look forward to supporting them in exploring their interests and passions, knowing that their accomplishments will not only be a testament to their hard work but also a source of immense pride for our entire family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my recent transfer, I allocated $20 to pay for my two children's secondary school fees, which was a tremendous relief. My elder son had been shouldering the responsibility, and it had become increasingly difficult for him due to the high cost of living. Finally being able to contribute to their education brought a sense of accomplishment. Knowing that my children can continue their studies without the burden of financial stress is a weight off my shoulders. With the remaining $14.7, I made a practical choice to buy essentials for our family of seven. I purchased vegetables, cereals, and detergents, which will help us maintain a healthier and more comfortable household. Currently, I'm actively involved in community services as a volunteer, while my husband, a retired teacher, battles illness in his old age. This cash transfer has not only eased our immediate financial burdens but has also allowed us to focus on taking care of our family's well-being during these challenging times
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
One thing I've always hoped for is for my two children to excel in school and achieve their academic goals. They are both in high school, and it has not been easy to raise their fees. I'm glad I have some money to rely on every month, and I budget for them to keep their studies going. To accomplish this, I want to make certain that I always pay their fees on time. This will allow them to remain in school. Even after they finish their studies, I hope to send them to college while I continue to receive monthly support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I've been using $20 of the recent transfers to pay school fees for my two children, who are currently in high school. One is in form four, and the other is in form one. Though I usually get help from my sons, it hasn't been enough, and the monthly transfers have ensured that my children enjoy going to school. As their parent, I am relieved that their studies will not be disrupted due to a lack of fees. I was able to pay their fees on time, and they are now able to attend school. In addition, I spent $14 on food for my family. I've been buying at least 5 packets of maize flour and sugar to last us a while, as well as personal items like washing soap and other necessities. I am relieved that, despite the difficult economic times and rising prices for basic commodities such as flour, I can still adequately provide for my family.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Am grateful for how my two sons have been funding the education of their younger twin sisters. However, I would gain pleasure and more purpose if I actively participated in the contribution so that they do not feel I have neglected my duties as a parent. Supporting the education of my daughters to completion is the greatest accomplishment I look forward to attaining in the coming four years. I believe that this will happen with the help of the cash transfers as I plan to keep saving $20 every month towards that course.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My priority right now is to support the education of my daughter, Irene, who is set to join secondary school education this month. Her two elder brothers, one of who works in the military and the other in engineering, have been financing her studies all along. Though they still support Irene, I strongly wish to contribute as well to help relieve the burden they bear. As the breadwinner, what I make as a community health worker is only enough to provide food for my family of ten members at home. Besides, my husband's physical vulnerability cannot allow him to take part in providing for the family. This is why I have been saving $20 from each of the past three transfers in preparation for her admission to secondary school. I spent the remaining $14 from the January and November transfers to buy food to boost the little that was left in stock. In December, I used the $14 to buy new clothes for Irene and her twin sister to dress up for the festivities as this usually glazes their celebrations.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did an excellent job with a high level of fairness in our village, ensuring that they met, spoke with, and obtained consent to participate in the project from every individual. The officers who came to visit also explained everything so well that we had no doubts about their support as they left the village. Even though everything went smoothly from enrollment to the receipt of the first transfer, we wish they would always send the subsequent transfers at the same time without delay for other people when the other groups have received them. We are also grateful that the office always follows up with a call to confirm the receipt of every transfer sent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the most recent transfer, the schools had just opened and my children needed school fees. Previously, I was reliant on my two sons, who are now working and sending me a portion of their pay to help with school fees. Alternatively, I have resorted to taking loans from the informal savings groups with which I have been saving, but I must repay them with a 10% interest charge at the end of the month. GiveDirectly's assistance came at a critical time when I needed to spend $20 on part of my son's and daughter's secondary school tuition. I am glad they have not been sent home since, and hopefully the next transfer will cover some of the remaining debt. I also put $5 of the remaining money into my village savings scheme, which we had been doing once a week. We hope to complete a year before withdrawing our savings, which we believe will earn a good interest because we have been lending to group members. Furthermore, I am relieved that I was left with $5, which I spent on food shopping for my family of six.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember receiving the notification informing me that transactions had been sent out at about four in evening when I was doing my laundry and I was I was honestly very grateful and very happy especially since my kids were about to resume school and at the time I had no money and I had no idea where I would get the money so that they would have the transportation money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In my opinion I would definitely say the fact that this money has been able to help me continue with my project where I invest in poultry family means a lot to me, especially because I've been doing this for over a decade and at times I suffered financially when the poultry was affected by diseases and when I ran out of money, but so far this money is going to be helpful by keeping my business afloat and help me take care of the needs of my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the money schools had just been reopened and my kids needed to head back and that is why I used KES 1,000 out of the transfers to ensure that I gave them transportation fee to head back to school. I still have KES 2,000 left on me but my intentions are to use KES 1,000 on buying three hens because I've been running a poultry farming project for over a decade which has helped me sustain myself financially and cater for the needs of my family. Lastly I intend to leave the remaining balance in my savings account in case of an emergency in the future.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I became the sole breadwinner of a 5 member family after my husband retired. My occupation is not lucrative. Community health volunteering earns me 3,000 KES a month. Education and food being the most demanding needs in my household, sustaining the family with such a little income is impossible. My ambition is to supplement my income through livestock production. Goat-keeping will be the best alternative to improve the welfare of my family. Already having 5 goats, I am planning to add another 5 at a total cost of 15,000 KES. My herd will be enlarging year by year. With a butchery nearby, I will have a ready market for goat meat. The income I will be making from selling goats will help in providing for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have twins who completed primary school this Year They made me proud after posting quality grades. Optimistically, they will start high school very soon.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have 2 children who are yet to join secondary school. They passed their primary school examinations but I am yet to admit them to their respective schools due to lack of funds. For them to be admitted, I need to have not less than 40,000 KES. I am a community health volunteer earning a 3,000 KES monthly wage. This income is not even close to what I am required to raise. I could not save in the previous months because I had to buy food for the family.