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 ($442 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?
One thing I had not planned of doing with the second transfer is building a bigger sheep pen. Initially, I had a small sheep pen but when I bought more sheep after receiving the first transfer, a need came to have a bigger pen considering that the sheep will soon reproduce and increase. I therefore spent a portion of the second transfer to out up that structure.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the fairness and kindness that its staff had during enrolment was worth commending. Everyone in the village, despite the financial status was enrolled and received the transfer. All was well done but I would have wished to be given more aid if that was possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I built a new kitchen using the transfer received from GiveDirectly. My initial kitchen was old and the iron sheets used to roof it were old and rusty thus allowing in rain water whenever it rained. I also built a bigger sheep pen for my sheep. I used the rest of the transfer to purchase furniture for my house and some clothes and food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was busy cleaning the utensils when I heard a message notification from my phone. I informed my daughter who was at home to help me check out. She said that it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. We planned on withdrawing the money the following day. I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my son who is in secondary school. I felt so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Paying school fees for my son in secondary school is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because I do not have any other source of income apart from the farming and poultry keeping project. These two activity earns me a small income which I use on school fees. Most of the time I would delay in paying the school fees due to the small income from my farm. My son would be sent home and this was affecting his performance. Currently, I have paid all the balances. He is studying well without being stressed like before. I have peace of mind to do my daily chores at home. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has improved our standard of living. Were it not GiveDirectly all these could have been big struggles.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 on paying the school fees for my son who is in secondary school. This was one of the main priorities since most of the time he was being sent home to collect the school fees and this was affecting his performance. Currently, he is studying well without being disturbed. I bought building materials planning on building a better and more spacious kitchen house. For the rest of the money, I bought food and household items.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to build a new kitchen house. The one I have at the moment is an old grass thatched house , dilapidated and seeps water. It is uncomfortable to stay in. It is against this backdrop that I intend to build a modern iron sheet roofed. It is expected to cost KES 35000. We will use the rest of the money to pay school fees for my children who are in various schools.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Recently, there were a bad flu in the village. Most people wondered whether it may have been an outbreak of covid-19. We were lucky non of our family member was affected. It is the good health that has given me alot of joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We are faced with a myriad of challenges. This month of January is usually the hardest for us in terms of raising school fees. It is the first term of the academic year and the fees for the term is high. Recently, they were send home for fees which we are yet to pay. It is a real struggle.
