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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($440 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I haven't set any goals after using the second transfer since I want to prioritize my child's schooling. This continues to be my largest goal, so I want to finish it before moving on to anything else. As a result, I typically set aside a small sum from my occasional work to ensure the success of my purpose.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I appreciate that GiveDirectly chose to provide cash assistance so that everyone may find the best possible solution to their financial issues. This was equally significant because everyone has various concerns, and each person was able to address their issues in the order of importance. The flexibility in using the money offered us a chance to advance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After constructive thinking, I saved $300 from the first transfer purposely for my son who was about to join the university. When I received the second transfer, I combined it with the amount I save and take my son to the university. The required fee for a whole year was $800 and I am glad because, through the help of GiveDirectly, I was able to pay the whole amount on the reporting day. I am happy that he is settled comfortably in the university. After doing so, I felt relieved and I had peace of mind.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 6 in the evening when I was about to prepare dinner when my elder son notified me that I had received my first cash transfer. I felt so happy and celebrated the whole night with my family. We could hardly sleep since this felt like the begging of a new life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through financial support, I was able to send my two sons to college. Being jobless, I have been depending on my spouse who also relies on casual jobs. It has been tough all along since he could barely meet all the needs of the whole family. I have been seeking government bursaries for all that long but unfortunately, this was not a guarantee. Therefore this has been resulting in their stay at home. As a parent, it has been stressing me a lot but I was still hopeful that God will make a way. I can't thank this organisation enough for all the beautiful deeds they have done for us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 46000 of my first cash transfer to pay college fees for my two sons who are both pursuing medicine at the same university. The money actually came in good time because I was stuck considering they were about to sit for exams. Missing the exams would lead them to differ the semester which would demoralise them in so many ways. Also with the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and settled the pending bills.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I never stepped in a classroom but I have given education a first priority in my house. I grew in a very poor family which never knew the importance of education. This is the main reason why my brothers never attended school. I decided to give education the first priority in my house hold after seeing my neighbors' children prospering in life because of education. Some are doctors, teachers, and engineers while in my house , I had to look for someone to read a letter for us. This scenerio gave me life challenges and made me to have a vehement desire of giving my children the best education ever despite my poverty situations in life.
My second born is in his third year in secondary school and the last born is to join his first year in secondary school may this year.
I have been having difficulties in fees payment for my son because I don't have a reliable source of income, mostly depending on casual labor and rearing indegenous livestock. Receiving this transfers means my sons will enjoy their learning without any interruption because of school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My first son got a casual job at the quarry site last month and is earning KES 400 in a day of which he helps us in getting our daily meals. This brought joy and happiness to me because I am not skipping my meals like the previous time.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My son has been sent home from school more than two times in a term. Getting food for the family is also a challenge . We have no safe drinking water and also getting pastures for my animals is also a challenge but the point of my children being sent home from school because of school fees is the biggest challenge in my house.
