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 ($441 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?
My new goal is to complete the construction of our new house.Having built our new house to almost completion, I look forward to having it complete. I am left with erecting a ceiling as well as painting the walls of this house. It may however take a little longer to accumulate such huge amount of money to compete this construction but it is on top of my priority areas. I still have children in school to pay their school fees and with the casual work that we rely on, this would be an uphill task to achieve but I will be very patient to achieve this.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well by giving us aid in form of cash and giving us the freedom to spend the money without any conditions. This gave us the freedom to choose how the money would benefit us and we are so proud of what we were able to achieve with the money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the entire transfer to build a new house. We were living in a very small house and with my family of five, we did not get the much needed comfort in it. For a long time, I desired to have a better house but with us depending so much on casual work and subsistence farming, we would not be able to raise enough money to do this. We also had children in school and our efforts were concentrated on them. I felt the need to divert all the money that I had towards building a new house and I am very happy and delighted that the house is almost complete. We are left with painting and erecting a ceiling to make the house complete.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy I remember it was around 9:30am when I was doing my morning chores. I heard a message tone from my phone. I reluctantly check it out since I didn't expected any messages from anyone. I could not believe my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I stopped whatever I was doing and went to inform my family members. They all celebrated with joy. I knew I would be able to pay the school fees for my son. We prepared and went to withdrew the money the same day. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly enabled me to pay the school fee.
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 was able to pay school fees for my children who is in secondary school. My son used to be sent home to collect the school fees and this was affecting his performance. He could stay home for quite some time since I didn't had money to pay immediately. I depend on small scale farming, I plan onions and sell at the market. The money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet and the basic needs including paying school fees. Whenever my son was sent home I was so worried and stressed, I had no peace of mind to concentrate on my daily activities. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I started by paying the school fees. My son was not sent home this time round and his performance will definitely improved since he has humble time to study. I have peace of mind to do my farming project at home. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has given me an opportunity to educate my son.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25000 on school fees for my son who is in secondary school. I am so happy because he was able to study well without being sent home. I build an extension room for my children. We used to sleep in one house and this was not comfortable since the are grown up and needed to sleep separately. Finally I bought clothes and food for the family. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that we will be able to raise school fees for my son who joined secondary level this year. Having accomplish this will be our biggest joy as a parent since we will have not failed in our responsibilities. We are required to raise above 30,000 shillings to cater for schools fees and other school necessities. Raising these has been a challenge to us since we depend on dairy farming where we get around 3,000 shillings every month. These suppose now to cater family basic needs, before my first born joined form one it has been enough and this has forced to look for casual jobs to add. The remain amount I will use to purchase another daily cow so as to increase my income in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when taking a rest and enjoying a common meal with my family members. This is the moment I feel relaxed and happy since I will have managed to put food on the table for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced in our daily life is unstable source of income. Our main source of income before was either subsistence farming or dairy farming but due to unfavorable climatic conditions it is no longer productive. We opt to continue dairy farming and casual jobs but it not enough to raise a family of around seven people.
