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
55000 KES ($438 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have been depending on charcoal burning to support the family this is a very tiresome activity. I have desired to venture into goat farming as a reliable source of income for the family. Goats are easy to keep and they are less prone to harsh weather conditions. I will be able to sell them when they multiply to support the education of my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in coming to the village and elaborating on the program at the meeting as well as seeking our consent before enrolling us into the program. Also, GiveDirectly did so well for fulfill every promise they made during enrollment. I feel every stage was handled well and there nothing I would recommend for a charge.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband is old and can no longer work to support our family. For that reason, I took the responsibility to raise my 6 children and my spouse single-handedly. I have been relying on charcoal burning to support the family which is Labourious and low paying. I used most of the income from charcoal vending to feed and educate our children leaving other needs unattended. For many years, we have been living in a small grass-thatched house without any partition, I was forced to move our bedding out during the day to get a space to cook since my house was very tiny. I used the recent transfer to construct a decent two-roomed, iron-roofed house for the family. Currently, we are happy living in a decent house. Additionally, I used $200 to pay for school fees for my 2 children who are in secondary school. They were always staying at home due to lack of fees which bothered me a lot.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($487 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received the money because I never expected to get that kind of money. I was so grateful and full of happiness because I knew most of the challenges I was facing would soon be a thing of the past. I was so happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I got the house that I neither knew where I was going to it nor the money to build it from. That to me is the biggest difference in my daily life. The school fees for my children too, is something that I consider a very huge step forward in my life because before, my children were constantly in and out of school for arrears. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer which was KES 20000 on my two children's school fees who are both in secondary school because I don't want their education to be disrupted or interrupted by them having to be sent home for school fees arrears. Also, I believe in education and the power that it will give to my children in the future to not only be independent and responsible adults but also to take care of me in my old age when I will be weak and unable to actively fend for myself. I spent another KES 20000 on building a bigger and better house for my family and myself because I desired for a better house that even my children will be proud to invite their friends over to play or study without having to be ashamed of where they sleep as well as for I needed one where I would also comfortably and confidently host my friends and guests. I am so proud and happy, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better future for my children since I have desired to educate them to university. I have been worried about realizing this dream but with the arrival of GiveDirectly to our village, I am optimistic about materializing my ambition. My plan once I receive these transfers is to spend KES 55000 to pay school fees for my 2 children who are in secondary school and one in college. This will allow them to settle in school and hence, a better performance. I will further spend KES 30000 to construct a separate structure for my family, this is because I am currently sharing a house with my cowife. With the remaining amount, I intend to buy 5 goats that will act as an investment project to support my children's education in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been the solely provider for my household until April this year when my firstborn son got a job as a tax driver. In May he sends me KES 1500 which I used on food expenses for the family. This made me happy because I knew that I will use my income on paying school fees for my children while my son will be assisting with other household expenses like food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is a financial crisis. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work to earn money that can support my children's education. Considering this is income which is very low of KES 10000 per month, it can not fully cater for their school fees as well as to sustain to other household expense likes food. My children have been frequently sent out of the school to collect school fees and this has worried me for long.
