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 ($493 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?
A lot has happened ever since GiveDirectly came into my life and I will forever be grateful to this organization for that. First, I was able to clear the fees balances for my children which have accumulated and even paid for the remaining term in advance. I had to give it a priority becasue since I never got the chance to go to school my wish was to see my children getting good education which is a promising to a brighter future together with their generation. I am happy though the organization I see it happening. Also managed t renovate my house, it was leaking excessively and during the winter seasons never had peace. I am glad this also settled.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in different unique ways, unlike the other organizations. First, becasue before receiving the money, the officers made sure I can maneuver the phone especially in the Mpesa sector. Before the coming of GD, I was not able to handle a phone but through them, this has been achievable. Therefore I do not see any part GD failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 33000 of my second transfer on clearing school fees for my children who are in university and secondary school. This has been my dream to pay the fees for a whole term to avoid the distraction but I could not afford it. However I used to pay in bits and sometimes I failed to pay on time and they need up being sent home, I also bought some building materials iron sheets, nails, and timber. This was purposely for the renovation of my house becasue it has an old leaky roof. With the remaing amount of money, I am using I in buying enough foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 Am when I was heading to my daily hustle then my phone started ringing continuously. This was so unusual and so I decided the check who it could be since it was alerting me of a new message. Upon checking, I realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and even decided to return back home and share the good news with my family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily is that managed to clear the fees arrears for my children. For so many years I have been a frustrated parent since they were always sent home for fees and most of the time I failed to clear the arrears on time. Therefore this affected their performance since sometimes they could miss important exams. At times I thought I had failed them as a parent. However, this could not demoralize me and I kept pushing for them to get a good education. I am now a happy parent because after clearing their fees they are studying peacefully without any distances like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on clearing school few for my children one in her final year in college and two in secondary school. Also, I bought some pieces of iron sheets, nails, and timber. This was for the renovation of my house with had a grass thatched house. Whenever it was raining I had no peace at all because I had to seek for shelter or else I would be rained in. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been struggling to pay school fees for my daughter who is in university. Her final year has seen her go through many challenges due to lack of money. This money has come at the right time when I need to clear her school fees on her final year. Her completing her university studies will be a big relief for me since I believe she will get employed and then come to our assistance financially here at home. I will use 350 USD for her school fees. I will also use 150 USD to buy 5 goats. Goats multiply very fast and are easy to rear. In few years to come,I can raise school fees for my other 2 younger children when I sell the goats.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a farmer,my work requires a lot of energy. I spend the early morning hours and evening hours in my farm. The happiest part of my day is in the morning since I have enough energy to do my work. My output is usually high in the morning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest headache has been paying school fees for my children. I am proud that I have educated one child to university level and another to secondary level. This however has left me penniless since I have sold my property like goats and cows. My house is small and in a bad condition since all my money goes into food and paying school fees. When my daughter got a letter of admission to a national school, I though I couldn't make it, I sold everything I had and did all manner of casual jobs to raise her school fees. I depend on farming and casual jobs to get income. The income I get is barely enough to satisfy all the family's needs.
