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 ($460 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After utilizing the second transfer, I developed an entrepreneurial goal of starting a poultry project. This is after seeing a friend of mine doing well in this kind of business and I am sure if i start it at my place it will do well too. Concerning this, is I get some money, I will buy broilers and rare them for business purposes.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Getting money at once was a miracle to me. I am very grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly because it helped me solve the problem I thought I would not be able to solve them such as school fees and food. Initially my children were ever at home due to school fees but as of now, they are comfortably taking their classes at school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the second transfer money, I first bought a bed and a mattress for KES 9500.00 since I did not have a bed at all. For a while I have been sleeping on the floor. I also brought two cows for KES 20000.00. I opted to buy the cows because I already have goats that I bought using the first transfer. Thereafter I saved some amount with an aim of taking my child to school when the schools open. My child will be joining form one, so i saw it prudent to save the money for him.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I still remember that moment as if it was yesterday after realizing that GiveDirectly had debited my transfers as they had promised. I was very happy because I knew I will achieive a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being able to send my son to school is the biggest difference in my daily life. He had finished his secondary studies some years back and I had no money for further studies. I was always stressed as a parent because I had no idea where I would get the required money for him to join college. Since I never got the chance to go to school, therefore, my wish was to see my children getting a good education. And all I can say is that all is now possible and I and I am hopeful that my children will have a bright future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my transfer on sending my son to college, he had finished his secondary school education some years back but I had no money for further studies. For that reason, he had to stay home for all those years. I am also planning to start a hotel business around my area and earn a living. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it to buy some foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Getting food has been a major struggle in my household. When I receive this money, I will use 50 USD to buy food which will last for at least one month. My children also need school fees as schools are scheduled for reopening. Two need college fees while two others are in primary school. I will also buy 3 goats at a cost of 30 USD each. Once they multiply ,I will be able to buy a dairy cow when I sell them.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After going about my casual jobs, I feel happy when I have gotten a little income to buy food for the day. This makes evening the happiest part of my day when I come back home with food for my children. Seeing my children satisfied gives me happiness and peace of mind.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was the third wife(out of five) to my late husband. Growing up in this polygamous set up has not been easy. Things turned even worse when my husband passed on in 2018 leaving all of us in a desperate situation. I used to concentrate on farming while my husband ran his business. I have now been forced out to do casual jobs to supplement the very little I get from my farm. I do what is readily available such as doing laundry and supplying water to hotels and residences. This jobs pay very little. For example supplying 20 liters of water costs 0.2 USD. In a day I may supply only 100 litres of water.
