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 ($448 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?
After utilizing the second transfer, I developed another goal that I aim to accomplish once I get some money. I aim to invest more in business by opening an additional shop to the one that I already have. This shop will be mainly for foodstuff and other fast-moving items that are regularly used in homes. By so doing, I will be securing the future of my family by ensuring that they do not lack basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a life-changing organization. Initially, our area had very poorly built structures where people used to sleep. A bigger percentage of the residents had grass thatched houses as well as sleeping on the floor. As of now, our area is glowing, every homestead has good houses which are iron sheet roofed as well as people are sleeping on good beds with nice beddings not like before. All this is in courtesy of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, I opted to furnish my business structure which I had constructed. I bought some plastering materials and also placed a cemented floor on it. This structure is a shop that I started using during the first transfer. I sell clothes and soon I will expand to accommodate more clients. I also took some amount and paid school fees for my two children who are in secondary and two children who are in primary school. The aim of paying the fees is to avoid the scenario of them being sent back home for the same.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 5 PM when I was grazing livestock when I heard my phone ringing very loudly. I did not waste time and opted to check who it was. I was overwhelmed with happiness after realizing that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so certain that finally, my children will go back to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The fact that I was able to settle the fees arrears for my four children has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. This matter has been giving me sleepless nights for quite some time because my spouse and I did not have sufficient funds to facilitate this journey. We have therefore been depending on the well-wishers for all that long. It has however been a challenge because this was not a guarantee which led them to stay home. Our charcoal business was not that lucrative enough to fend for the nine family members. I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for this huge support since my children are finally settled in school and they won't be bothered with the issue of school fees for the whole year.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first cash transfers on buying three mattresses at a total of KES 15000 and a bed at KES 3000. I had been striving to sleep on the modern beddings for so many years but I could not afford it because of the financial crisis. I have however been sleeping on the traditional bed which I used to experience lots of pains and discomforts. Later on, I purchased iron sheets and building poles at KES 24000. This was for the construction of a stall which I will be using to operate my vegetable business. Also, I bought six chairs at KES 4200 which is now a relief because is have been borrowing those of my friends whenever someone visits me. To add to that, I paid fees for KES 8000 for my four children in primary and secondary schools respectively. With the remaining amount, I bought foodstuff for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live at home with my 5 children while my husband looks for our daily bread in town. He depends on construction jobs that are rare to find nowadays with the economic situation in the country. I feel helpless not being able to help my spouse with the responsibilities because I know he struggles so much to even take our children to school. Currently, two of our children are in secondary school and the cost of living has also hiked which makes it even more difficult and strenuous for him. These transfers come at a point where we needed a financial boost since there are still fees arrears to be cleared before schools reopen and I also want to boost my vegetable business so I can be able to take up some household obligations. I plan to take 35,000 KES and pay a whole year of school fees as well clear the arrears, 5,000 KES to boost the business, 15,000 KES to buy mattresses and beds for my children and save the remaining balance for future use.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Towards the end of November last year when we had rain, my business was doing very well because vegetables were easy to find at reasonable prices. This made me happy and joyous since I was able to help my spouse with some of the responsibilities in the house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My vegetable business has been affected by the tough economic situation in the country. This leaves my husband with all the responsibilities in the house because he cannot go for two consecutive days without a job. A big percentage of the money he makes goes directly to our children's fees since that has always been our priority. This leaves us with no choice but to sometimes forgo meals during certain times due to insufficient flow of money. I feel sad and frustrated when my children have nothing to put in their bellies. My entire family looks malnourished as a result of this. My biggest hardship, therefore, is lack of proper income to provide for my household with ease.
