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 ($433 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?
My biggest win in life would be seeing my kids complete their education and have opportunities for a better life. I hope they will one day take care of me as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has given us a chance to hold our heads high as a family. Thanks to them, we have a home we can point to with pride, our kids are in school, and we have continued to do our part as responsible parents. I will be forever indebted to them, and I pray they do the same for countless others.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My daily earner is my charcoal-burning business. I do it on my 5-acre plot of land. I focus my sales on my neighbors and the like, selling a sack at $4 each. The funds from GiveDirectly allowed me to be able to renovate my 3-bedroom house, including adding a verandah. With my meager income, expecting me to improve my house when the funds were barely enough to live on was a tall order. My husband and I share 8 kids, some of whom live with him and some with me. He lives in Mombasa, more specifically in Miritini. He works casual jobs on construction sites, earning $10 a day. The rest of the funds, needless to say, went towards the kids' tuition. My eldest is in Form 4, while our 2nd to 4th born are all at Complex Miritini Secondary in Forms 3, 3, and 1, respectively. All four live with their father in Miritini. Our fifth to eighth children are all in Mwaradinda Primary. We pay $20 for Class 8 students, as well as $20 for her Grade 6 siblings who attend the same school. Our youngest is in nursery school, and we pay $10 for him per term. The funds from GiveDirectly allowed us to continue to provide for our family and improve their quality of life, thanks to the disposable income.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($439 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While resting at home at around 5 pm after the day's hustle, I heard a message tone from my phone. I slowly took it from the table to see what kind of message I had received. I was surprised after the confirmation that I had received $550 from GiveDirectly. I felt very happy and thankful for the money. I wished I could see the sender face to face so that I just shake their hand in gratitude.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that is a result of the GiveDirectly transfer is like a miracle to me. Initially, we used to sleep in the same house with my children. Some slept in the corridor. This was not hygienic and also there was no privacy but due to poverty, I had no alternative. As of now, I am happy that my boys have their house though it is not enough compared to where we were this is like heaven for them. This miracle came as a result of GiveDirectly and I can sincerely say that, if it were not for this organization we would be still squeezing into the same house with my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a mother of eight, I used to stay with my children in the same house. The house could not accommodate us comfortably thus we were congested but due to poverty we had no alternative. This situation made me use the transfer to construct a spacious house that could accommodate my family. Therefore, I bought 33 pieces of iron sheets for $330. I also bought poles, rafters, timbers, and nails for $200. As of now, I am living happily because I have a spacious three-room mud-walled house that accommodates my family well. For the boys, I gave them the initial house we were using. Thereafter, I used the other part of the money to buy some food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have seven children who are schooling. Two in secondary and five in primary school. The two in secondary have a collective fees balance of $ 300 and the ones in primary school have a collective fees balance of $150. This has made them stay home for almost two weeks due to that balance. The inflation has affected my husband's work and it is hard for him now to pay the school fees as before. I will use $700 to clear the balances and also prepay the next year's school fees. This will ensure that my children stay at school and improve their performance. I will also use $400 to finish building my children's house. Currently, we are all living in a three-room house which is not spacious to accommodate all of us and also lacks privacy. As I am aging slowly, I need to have a good reputation in the village. Thanks to Give directly for their program.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My village has never had rain for the past three years now. This has resulted in famine and drought. Sometimes I walk for almost 7kms looking for water from water pans which are also not clean for a drink. The famine has made me cut the number of meals per day. The family takes two meals per day. My children are always on and off of school due to lack of fees. All this happenings makes me feel unhappy all the time. The only thing that gives me happiness isn't the gift of life given to me by God every day despite all the challenges.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a family of ten members with eight children. Two in secondary and five in primary school. My husband is a masonry and I do casual jobs like firewood fetching for sale. The two in secondary school are supposed to pay school fees of $ 350 each per year. Currently, they collectively have a fee balance of $ 300. The five in primary are supposed to pay a school fee of $ 500 each per year. They all have fees arrears of $ 160. I earn $ 30 per month from my work. This caters to food only. My husband earns approximately $ 200 per month. His money caters to the children's education and also boosts the food budget for the family. Lack of a reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing.
