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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was grateful when I received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. at that moment I was at home with my children whom we celebrated together before calling my husband to share the news. This was great news for us since we had a lot to accomplish in our household using the same money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the clearance of school fees for my two children. This has made my life easier since I can do a lot on other projects that have been on halt because of the lack of finances. I am glad that my children can study in peace and at the same time can do other businesses at home and work to raise more money for the future settling of other bills.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first transfer brought forth a lot of changes in our family that would not have been possible without it. I had been struggling with a lot of bills and even though I had been working in the nearby school, the monthly salary has never been enough to sort even half of the bills. I spent KES 2000 on school fees for my two children in school and in addition obtained new pairs of school uniforms for them at KES 2000. The two were so happy to be in a brand new outfit and, better still, I had cleared all their school fees for them to study without any disturbance. I also spent KES 4000 on buying a goat that I am currently rearing, a hen and a cock at KES 800, and three turkeys at KES 4500. I spent part of the remaining on household goods and foodstuff for my family of four and saved the remaining KES 15000 to pay school fees for my son, who is soon joining grade nine.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a mother of two. I recently came back from a matrimonial home due to some misunderstandings between me and my hubby. I have been living in a very small house for one year simply because I was not able to erect the spacious one since I did not have a job. My Ambition is to use KES 70,000 to build a house, and KES 10,000 to clear school fees for my child who will be joining class eight next term. The balance to invest in a livestock business that will be my source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Getting a job was a great thing that happened in September 2021. It brought happiness to my life since I was sure that my children will not suffer as before.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a teacher by profession. I recently separated from my husband and came back home with two children. Nobody in my maternal home wanted to share a cooking pot with me so I was forced to fend for my children. I started applying for a job and after a few months, I received a calling letter from one of the neighboring schools to teach. The monthly salary that I get is KES 5000 which is too little to serve a family of three. This mount just covers food only leaving behind school fees. Therefore little income is the challenge that I am currently facing.
