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
53200 KES ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The house that we currently live in is made of mud and it was built on the water pathway. During the rainy season like at the moment, our house has become dumpy and we've had to move most of our belongings and beddings to the kitchen. It is my wish to build a more permanent house where I will not have to worry about anything during the rainy season. I do not have the finances to achieve this now but I believe that I will achieve it once my two children who are in tertiary institutions are through with their studies. This is because I will have some money that I can save since the burden of paying school fees will have been reduced.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly was very organized in how they conducted their work. Their officers spoke in a friendly manner and did not discriminate against anyone and this made us happy and grateful. I did not see anything that they did not do well and I urge them to keep up the good work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I operate a business of selling second-hand clothes in our nearest markets and I sometimes walk from door to door selling them. I have five children in different levels of education and I had spent 90% of the income from this business on paying for their school fees since I did not want them to miss their studies. Because of this, I was almost running short of stock and I am happy that my transfer came in handy since I was able to spend KES 20000 from it to boost it. In addition, I spent KES 30000 to buy a heifer and used the remaining amount on food. This is an asset that will enable to earn money through the sale of surplus when it reproduces.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($509 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home doing my daily house chores when I saw a message notifying me that I had received Ksh 55000/= that GiveDirectly had promised us.I showed my husband the message and he equally was so happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I was able to stock up my business which we all depend on as a source of income on our day to day expenditures, I am also happy that this time round my children will not be sent home to collect the fee balances because with the transfer I cleared their fee arrears, I am so grateful for the support given because it has impacted my life greatly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to pay for my children school fees arrears and also used part of the money to stock up my business which had gone down because of the harsh economically state recently due to the corona pandemic, it is the only source of income that we all depend on.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a small business woman dealing in second had clothes. Monday, Friday and Saturday are my business market days in 3 separate towns around. I make around $350 a week from this business. My stock has declined over time because I rely on my profits to buy food for the family. Therefore upon receiving this money, I will inject $200 into the business to add on my stock, thus increasing returns. I am so grateful for GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a small business woman, my happiest days are Monday, Friday and Saturday. These are my market days where I trade in second hand clothes. This business generates income for my household needs especially food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have 4 children in various levels of education. One in the university, another one in college and 2 others in secondary school. I am required to part with more that $2500 a year for school fees alone. With my small business, maize and livestock farming that give me around $150 a month, I can hardly afford to educate my children. They have often been sent home for fees thus taking a huge toll on their study time. My worry is that in the next 2 years I wouldn't have money to take the 2 children in secondary school to college as I would have sold most of my properties –especially livestock.
