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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goat is to boost my livestock rearing so that It may be more sustainable. This is my alternative source of income for my family as well as a long-term investment for my kid's education, I will be able to sell them to further their studies. This is because my charcoal vending job is very laborious and low-paying to comfortably support all our family needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for helping the less fortunate with the unconditional cash transfer. In addition, every household was given the right to choose on how to use the aid to better their lives. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer to construct a decent and spacious house for my family. This is because the house that we were residing in was very small to fully accommodate all my 5 kids as well as those of my co-wife. As a result of this, our 3 daughters were forced to seek refuge from our neighbors something kept me worried about their safety while traveling every night to our neighbor's house. I also spent KES 15,000 to support the education of my firstborn who is in college taking a carpentry course. In addition, I bought new clothes for everyone in my family since we had few clothes to change.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy when I got the money because it was an amount that I had never seen before and the fact that it was all mine to help me address the challenges that I was facing is all the reason I was very happy when I got it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am happier and with a peace of mind, now that my children are in school and I am not worried about them being sent home for school fees arrears. That is what I can say is the greatest improvement in my daily life ever since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly. I am so grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer on my five children's school fees which was KES 30000 because I believe in education. It is very important for not only my children but also to myself since I know that with a good education, they will find employment and inturn I'll be able to count on them in the future for financial assistance because I am sure they won't forget about me. However, we are still keeping part of the transfer to use regularly to cater for our daily needs around the house especially for food, which we are buying on need basis because it is an opportunity to at least regularly change our daily meals. I am so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have desired to invest in livestock because is the only way I can save my money to earn profit when I sell them after they multiply. I therefore intend to start with 10 goats that will cost me KES 30000 of my first transfer.The remaining amount of my first transfer will cater for food expenses and other household needs. With the second transfer, I plan to construct a separate house to accommodate me and my children. I currently share a house with my cowife something that does not give me a piece of mind. I will use KES 30000 to ensure the house is complete. The remaining amount will help me to pay school fees for my son in high school, hence improve his performance in school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in evening because it is at this time I can rest after a busy day of charcoal work. It also at this time a children are from school and I enjoy their company around me. Unlike in the morning and afternoon when I am busy in the forest alone doing my charcoal work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial crisis is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work in order to earn income to cater for household expenses. Considering the income which is very is very low mostly KES 600 it cannot fully support all household expenses like food. I have been struggling to put food to my table and sometimes seeking help from my relatives. This has worried me for long time and I am now a happy person after knowing that, soon I will owning goats to act as a source of income and also store of wealth.
