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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($439 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 start building a new house. When we received the first and the second transfer, we were able to clear school fees payment for our children. We are therefore at liberty to build a better house for our family. We have been living in a mud walled house that we have found it difficult to maintain. It has been quite difficult finding the clay soil that is used to maintain and make it look decent. Having paid school fees in totality, we were also able to buy some building materials We have been able to clear school fees and were able to buy some building materials. This is progress made and we are looking forward to towards putting up a timber made house. It will not only give is the much needed comfort but also reduce the nuisance of allergies to dust that we normally experience with the mud walled house.
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 cash and the freedom to choose how to spend the cash. This gave us all an opportunity to spend the money in a good way and to our satisfaction.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used KES 30000 to pay school fees for my two children who are in their secondary school. I used another KES 10000 to buy a heifer and the remaining amount to buy food and other basic household needs. Paying school fees for my children has been an uphill task but we have managed anyway through use of farm produce. The money came as a big boost to is since we were able to clear all the fee. We are now at liberty to make other valuable investments like building a better house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the evening when I was busy preparing dinner for my family. Then suddenly, I heard my phone ringing and vibrating. Upon checking I realised that I had received cash from GiveDirectly, I was so excited and happy because I knew that I will be able to cater for the needs of my family. This was the happiest day in my life, I knew that God had answered my prayers. I then informed my husband and my equally happy children. Then finally we embarked on planning.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The fact that my children are all comfortable in their respective schools is enough reason to be thankful. This is because we couldn't pay school fees at the right time without having to sell any of our personal properties. This has given me peace of mind because I no longer run up and down to make ends meet. Therefore, I am forever grateful for the support that transformed my life amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a consistent farmer, married and blessed with eight children. Receiving money from GiveDirectly came as a big relief in our lives. This is because I was able to clear the school fees arrears for my two children in secondary school that had accumulated. where I used KES 30,000 in offsetting the arrears. I then used KES 5000 in starting a poultry-keeping project. Additionally, I was able to purchase foodstuffs and clothes with the remaining amount. I was unable to clear the school fees arrears before because I depended on farming which was a small scale. Therefore I was unable to meet the school fees needs. I am so happy that things were made easy with the transfer that I had received thus I am grateful.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to save for my children's education. I have two children who attend high school, one that is set to join college and another one who will complete primary school in November. I am so fixed in terms of paying school fees since the money that my husband gets from his motorcycle taxi cannot meet all this. I plan on settling arrears for my two children in secondary school amounting to KES 14,000 and then buying a cow with KES 35,000 of the money. It will be easier to pay school fees gradually from the money that I will get from selling milk while also saving some of it.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Having to struggle so much to educate my children, I am happy that one of my daughters completed high school this month. This comes as a relief to me since the burden of paying for school has been reduced. I am praying so much that the results will be good and she will be able to join college.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Paying school fees for my children is the challenge that I am facing. I depend on my husband's business to educate my children and buy food for them. The money that he gets is not sufficient since we use almost all of the amount to buy food leaving us with nothing to pay to school.