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 ($428 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My short-term goal is to expand my business, I have a grocery shop and I would like to start charcoal production and increase my sources of income. My other goal is to take my child who just finished high school to college and pursue a Diploma in teaching. I am already saving $1.5 a day and hopefully, in September 2023 he can enroll.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I like it when I get visits from the field officers, they get to advise us on how to protect the transfers. They also teach us various ways to invest so that the money can help us in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the transfers, I was working as a cook at a nearby school getting a pay of $70 a month. The money was not enough for my family, I have eight children, and they all go to school. Life was hard some days, we would sleep hungry and my children would be sent away from school because of the lack of school fees. The house I was living in was collapsing, the roof had holes that when it rained, the house would be full of water. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to build a new house a two-roomed house st $300, bought two goats that cost $60, clear school fees arrears of $150, and bought food at $60.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($470 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At around 6 am while still in bed, I heard a message tone from my phone which rang twice. Since I do not know how to read, I contacted my son who is also my helper to read and interpret the morning message. The interpretation was something I had not imagined of. It was the first transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy but I tried my best to contain myself and not ululate because I did not want people to know that I had received the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before getting the transfer from GiveDirectly, I was stuck with my child who had completed his primary education and was supposed to join secondary school. I ran up and down in vain, thanks to GiveDirectly. The main difference that I felt is that the organization empowered me through the transfer thus enabling me to take my child to secondary school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the money, the priority was to pay school fees for my children who are in secondary and primary schools. I paid KES 23000.00 for two secondary school children who are in form one and form four. I also paid KES 1200.00 for my three primary school children. After settling the school fees issue, I bought two goats to start livestock keeping. Apart from buying some food for my family, I also bought 20 pieces of iron sheets to construct a new house which will symbolize the presence of GiveDirectly at my home.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The climate of the area am residing is not conducive for crop farming because of the inadequate and unreliable rainfall. The only farming which does best here is poultry and goats farming. I have been having a desire of doing goats farming for many years in my life but food insecurity in my house and undefined source of income has made my dream a nightmare.
I will use both transfers to buy galla goats to start my project as soon as I receive my first transfer. I will build a loafing shed and afew of it use to have a stock of food for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Children are the first gift in life from God. Children do value their parents and can restore their parents' happiness . A family without daughters in particular is like a river without a source. My daughter sent me a Christmas package last year of KES 4600. I budgeted this amount for both christmas and new year celebration. My family celebrated Christmas and before the start of the year my daughter sent me a duck to slaughter during the new year festival.This acted as the source of my joy and happiness because we enjoyed the new year in a new style.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living in a semi arid area without a defined way of getting the family's daily bread is a havoc. I have relayed on charcoal burning and we have deforested the area.Trees are no longer seen. Having a planned project which can generate revenue to my house is the most challenging factor I have so far.
