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 ($431 USD)
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?
I would love to take my three children to further their education in college schools, this will make me a proud parent. With this, they will be well equipped to get good jobs to help themselves and also help me back later on.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with the whole operation as many attest to the fact that GiveDirectly did its best to change our living standards. All the promises made were delivered promptly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I even got my first transfer, I had plans to build a decent house since the one we had was a little bit small and quite old. So I embarked on the journey, but unfortunately, we did not manage to have it completed due to a shortage of funds as there were still other bills to be taken care of at that time. The second transfer came in handy to facilitate the house completion, where we spend $300 on buying the remaining. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to replace my old, ripped mattress and bed with new ones costing $100 and I no longer wake up with bodily aches. I purchased two goats for $80 to raise them and later sell part of them once they will have given birth to help pay for my children's school expenses. With the remaining $50, I bought food for my family of five children which lasted us for almost a month.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 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 on my way back home from visiting my mother who was sick at the hospital. It was around 10 am when I received two consecutive messages on the phone. I was eager to know the content of the SMS but since I can not read I had to wait until I reached home. Upon reaching home, my helper checked the phone and Informed me that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was very happy about receiving my transfer because my kid had been involved in an accident and I did not have any money to take him to the hospital.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to boost my livestock rearing after acquiring more livestock is the biggest difference in my life. This is a future investment that will assist me whenever I encourage any financial challenge. Also, a source of living to raise my family of 10 members. Previously, I was struggling so much to provide for my family. In addition, I am very proud to see my kid recover after the accident that left him with a bad head injury.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfer came at a time when I needed it most since my elder son was involved in a road accident that left him with a serious head injury. I did not have any funds to seek medical attention for him something that left me stranded. I spent KES 11,500 to take him to medical care. I am very grateful for the transfer that assisted me at that time and happy that my kids are now fully recovered. In addition, I spent KES 18,000 to expand my house by constructing an additional room since the one I had was very small to fully accommodate my family of 10 members. Lastly, I spent KES 21,500 to purchase 4 goats and one cow. This was to boost my livestock rearing an activity that I had been depending on to raise the family after my spouse passed on 5 years ago.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband passed on when my children were still young, this forced me to take responsibility for bringing them up which has not been easy because I had to do odd jobs just to make ends meet. I only managed to take three of my children to secondary school out of my five children due to a lack of money. It has always been my wish to give them a good education unfortunately, this has not been the case but now with these transfers, my last born who just finished secondary school will be able to go to college. Her college fees will cost me around 90,000 KES for a year and for me to manage this I will have to start keeping livestock and sale when they multiply. The livestock will cost me around 20,000 KES and spare some money for my other projects like; renovating my house which will cost 30,000 KES, building a new pit latrine at 5000 KES because the one that we had collapsed and now we are forced to use bushes. The rest of the money will be part of my savings and food. Receiving this money means a good education for my children, a nice house, and good sanitation to avoid diseases like gonorrhea.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Looking at nature itself makes me happy because now I can see green generations and good weather, unlike last year when we were burning from the scorching sun.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My last born just finished her secondary school last year but due to lack of money I have not been able to take her to college. The casual jobs that I depend on are not enough to feed my family and spare some for her education because it is only 500 KES per day. Currently, I face the challenges of insufficient finances to take care of my family needs.
