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 ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Initially, my goal was to use my transfer in paying school fees for my children in order for them to advance in their studies. This has given them ample time in school in recent times. Upon completing this, I developed a goal of improving my living standard by starting a project of building a new spacious house with an additional room. The current house is relatively smaller and can not support my children and visitors comfortably. I am so happy that the house whose construction is ongoing will comfortably serve my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectky does so well in all its manner of its operations. For instance, the staffs play a critical role in training the recipients on how to enhance their Mpesa securities. The fact that money is sent through Mpesa is very safe since it minimizes cases of anyone knowing who received the transfer and at what time. As a result, I have never heard of any case of theft among those who shared with me that they benefited from the program. However, I would only request GiveDirectly to consider visiting some villages it had worked at and consider supporting those who were left out of the previous program.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
From my most recent transfer, I spent KES 15,000 to start up a grocery shop. This has relieved me from the stress of looking for casual jobs such as weeding for people for pay. From my business, I have been able to make an average sales of KES 2000 to 3000 daily. From the sales, I can often get an average profit of KES 400. I thank God that as a result of GiveDirectly's transfer, I currently run a business that generates for me an average profit of KES 400 per day thus we always get food at ease.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I got the money because I had been stranded and did not know what to do or where to run to in as far as school fees arrears for my children and the house we had been living in are concerned. I was grateful because the money from GiveDirectly was an answer to all those questions I was having, and it helped me to settled my children's school fees arrears and build my family a new and better house because the house we have been living in was so small and in a very poor condition.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is the ability GiveDirectly gave me to address the challenges that I was facing because I was stranded and I did not know what to do but I thank God, it was a dream come true. I have been able to make some good progress in my life, I got a better house and my children are no longer worried about being sent home for school fees arrears because there is no chance that will happen. I am so happy and proud.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My three children's school fees and arrears is what took a bigger part of the transfer because I spent a total of KES20000 for them since I did not want them to be sent home for arrears, neither did I want them to be distracted by not getting meals at school because of school fees arrears. This is because I not only believe but also know for sure that their good education will be a tribute to the efforts and assistance they got from GiveDirectly, which is a legacy that will live on forever. Also, with their good education, they will be employed and I will be able to depend on them in the future.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As a returnee who assumed all the roles of the household 7 members, I have been struggling to ensure my children are getting a better education. However, I have been facing a lot of challenges including paying school fees for them because of the casual jobs like some construction work in which I am engaged. This job earns me very little usually 500 KES per day, and it is also not consistent. Since I have 3 children in secondary school, the only hope has been seeking help from bursary offices which are also not reliable. My plan once I receive this money is to spend 50000 KES of the transfers in supporting my children's education. This will mean giving them enough time to settle in school and eventually good performance. On the other hand, I intend to spend 10000 KES to start a grocery store to sell some vegetables and fruits, hence, this will act as my reliable source of income. The remaining amount will help me to buy 5 goats to have a long-term investment project. Therefore, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the morning when I prepare my children for school, I usually feel so happy since seeing them healthy and ready to go and learn gives me hope for a better future. Hence, I consider the morning being the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a casual laborer in the construction sites, a work that earns me 500 KES per day. This income is very little yet getting the chance to work is also inconsistent and it means in a week, I can work utmost 2 days. Considering this income, it cannot fully cater to my family's basic needs something that stresses me most. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
