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.
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Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($155 USD)
access_time 1 month ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a Sunday, the 14th, and I was in the kitchen, preparing food for my family in the evening when I heard the familiar sound of a message notification on my phone. I quickly wiped my hands and reached for the phone, and to my surprise, it was a message from GiveDirectly. The transfer had come through, and I felt a rush of happiness. It was a moment I had been waiting for, but I decided to keep it to myself for the time being. I didn't tell anyone about it; I wanted to wait until I could withdraw the money and use it to pay for my daughter’s school fees, knowing it would make a huge difference for her as she is in boarding school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I received the cash transfers from GiveDirectly, I was constantly stressed about how to get money to pay my daughter’s school fees. The worry consumed me, and I had to take on multiple casual jobs, like burning charcoal, just to make ends meet. It was exhausting and took a toll on my health, both physically and mentally. But now, everything has changed. I no longer have to worry about where I’ll find the money for school fees because I’ve cleared everything, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly. The relief has been incredible—I’ve even noticed that I’ve gained some weight since I’m no longer stressed all the time. It’s such a huge difference in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the money, my first thought was to ensure my daughter’s education was secure. I used $80 to pay off the outstanding school fees for her second term in Form 2 at the boarding school in Kambi Samaki. It was such a relief to clear the arrears, knowing she could focus on her studies without the constant worry of being sent home for lack of payment. Next, I decided to invest in our future by purchasing two goats for $100. Goats are a valuable asset because they multiply quickly, and having them gives me a safety net for emergencies, like when I might need to pay school fees again. Knowing that I have this investment gives me peace of mind, as I can sell them if a financial need arises. With the remaining money, I bought food items for our household. This ensured that we had enough to eat without the stress of wondering where the next meal would come from.
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
When I receive my transfers, I plan to spend $400 towards constructing an additional room for my family of six. Currently, we live in a small one-room house, and as my children grow into teenagers, the lack of space affects our privacy and comfort. Another $200 will go towards school fees for my daughter, who is in grade 10. It is crucial for me to keep her in school consistently and prevent her from experiencing the shame of being sent home for unpaid fees. This has always been a worry due to our financial constraints. As a family, we rely on charcoal burning and selling vegetables, which typically brings in about $100 in a good month. This income is essential as it covers our food expenses. Despite these challenges, I am hopeful that with careful planning and these investments, we can improve our living conditions and provide better opportunities for our children's education and well-being.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Living in harmony with my neighbors brings me great joy. Despite the challenges we have faced, such as property loss from floods, maintaining positive relationships remains crucial. Not everyone may fully grasp the hardships we have endured, but I believe in the power of empathy and mutual support within a community. By fostering understanding and cooperation, we can navigate tough times together more effectively. It is about creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard, especially during times of adversity and I am grateful to live in such a community.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am currently facing a big challenge trying to maintain a steady income for my family of six. We primarily rely on charcoal burning and vegetable farming, but these jobs are so unpredictable due to weather changes. During rainy seasons, charcoal burning is impossible, so we rely heavily on vegetable farming. But that comes with its own set of challenges like market competition and price fluctuations. It is saddening because our financial situation is constantly affected by these factors. We struggle to make ends meet and provide for our family's needs. I feel like we are always on edge, never knowing if we will have enough to cover everything.
