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
55000 KES ($479 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I are charcoal burners and we have been supporting each other to build our family. We have experienced drought for a couple of years and this has lead to tree depletion which has made it difficult for our business to thrive. We have been struggling to make ends and overtime, we have accumulated huge debts.I spend 11000 KES to settle school fees arrears, 23000 KES to buy goats and the balance to buy 2 beds and mattresses. My children were so happy to sleep on a bed and mattress for the first time and they nolonger complain of back pains. I'm also happy that they will have easy time in school because they will not have to be chased out of school out of school due to fees arrears. I'm sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for the support.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what GiveDirectly does well is doing proper sensitization to the villagers before the enrollment process. We very well understand the program and the advisory given to us plays a big role in terms of spends although the transfer are unconditional.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal was was to invest in livestock, clear school fees and buy household items that we didn't have. Right now, my goal is to save towards buying a piece of land so that I can build rental shops.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 30000 on settling my children's school fees arrears because I didn't want their education to be interrupted or disrupted by lack of school fees because I believe in education and that with a good education, they will be able to get employed and inturn I'll be able to count on them in the future to help me address the financial challenges I will be facing. I also spent KES 15000 on repairing our motorcycle that had been laying idle because it needed some spare parts replacement. My husband operates it as a motorcycle taxi, which is a regular source of income and helps us meet our family's immediate needs. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I was able to get a better for our house which makes us feel safe and secure at any time because, I used to be worried whenever I have to go out or far from the house since the door was just a makeshift one and not secure. I have a better and proper, more comfortable bed and mattress as well as no arrears. All thanks to GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10pm and I was asleep but was woken up by the message notification tone and when I checked my phone I saw the text message confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I knew that I was going to send my children back to school who had been at home due to school fees arrears.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Prolonged drought is the biggest hardship I am experiencing. It has been 6 months without any signs of rain. This has affected me negatively because spend a lot of money on water purchase. In a day I spend 350 KES for water. This has hindered me from meeting my other basic needs such a school fees living my 2 sons with huge school fees balances.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past 2 years, I have been suffering from pressure something that has deteriorate my health. I visited different hospitals but all was in vain. On September I decided to go to church for prayers and immediately I was healed. This brought happiness to my life because I am now okay and I can perform my duties comfortable.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Education is key to success, though I did not get an opportunity to study. This has been my belief since I have seen the good fruits from my age mates who are successful in life because they had a chance to go to school. I have desired to educate my children so that they can be great people in the future. I have 2 sons who are in secondary school in their 4th and 1st year respectively and they perform very well but school fees have been an issue. Receiving this transfer means education continuation. I am planning to spend 50,000 KES to clear the fees arrears so that they can study with ease. Hoping that they will be employed in future and support us. Other than that, I will invest the remaining part of the transfer to purchase livestock which is going to be a source of income to my family of 9 members.
