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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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($430 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?
Once in a while I have been buying onions in bulk and selling them at the market to get some income. This year, I intend to make it my main hustle and invest in it fully since the profit margins are good. This will help me cater to my family’s basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Just like any other person in the village, I have nothing negative to say but am grateful that a lot has changed over the past few months due to the support from GiveDirectly. I appreciate everything and wish GiveDirectly would continue doing the same as they reach out to other people too.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The most pressing task that I have always struggled with is the raising of school fees for my four children especially the elder three who are currently in secondary. I thank God that GiveDirectly came to our rescue as I deposited $200 of my second transfer directly to the school account. This gave me peace of mind as I was now able to focus on other matters. I also bought thirty pieces of timber for $300 in preparation for building a house for my family. I am a hotelier by profession, but since covid pandemic, the hotel industry was greatly affected, and getting a job has been an uphill task. My spouse had to travel outside the country for employment and she has been helping us back home. The remaining $30 I used to purchase food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just woken up in the morning and was brushing my teeth before heading out. I received a message notification that made my day. I called my wife, who was not at home and shared the good news with her and my son, who was on his way to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The debt at my son’s school was an enormous burden to me, with my unemployment situation. The biggest difference is clearing the debt to ensure that my child gets undisrupted classes and I am also relieved of the financial obligation that gave me sleepless nights and blood pressure. I am also encouraged that after the long wait, I will move into my dream house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been building my three-bedroom roomed house since the year 2009. I could not complete it because of financial constraints, especially now that I lost my job. My objectives changed and the little I make from my casual job as a cook goes to my son’s education and our daily upkeep. When I received the transfer, I paid KES 38,000 for my son’s school fees for the term and cleared all his balance. I used the remaining KES 15,000 to buy stones and sand. Currently hoping to fund the project with whatever I make from my casual jobs and complete the structure.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I lost my job 3 years ago ( I was a chef). This was my only hope which was generating income for my family of 6 members. By the time this was happening, I had an ongoing project (permanent house) and unfortunately, it had to stop. Since then, I have never managed to complete it, something that stresses me a lot. Receiving this transfer means fulfilling my project. I am planning to spend the whole transfer to complete it and this will retain the peace of my mind because I will be able to concentrate on other things. Also, I will be able to live a decent life with my family because the current house is too small for us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Getting enrolled in Give directly organization today has brought a lot of joy and hope to my life. I can say that God has remembered me and it is a dream come true. I am planning to spend the transfer to complete my ongoing house which has been stayed for 3 years now.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest hardship I am currently facing. After losing my chef job 3 years ago, it has not been easy to secure another one. The fact that most work in hotels and COVID-19 is still with us I have no hope of getting a new job. This has made me struggle to meet my daily needs such as food and completing my ongoing projects.
