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 ($360 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would wish to start a grocery business that will generate income that will help me meet my daily needs without much struggle. I am confident that this business will be more reliable than the charcoal making activity that I currently engage in. Vegetables are easily available in my region and are fast moving goods as people consume them daily. Although right now I do not have the funds to start this business, I am banking on the livestock that I plan on buying using savings from the recent cash transfer. As they multiply, I intend to sell some of them to obtain the capital for starting the business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly has the best services in terms of sending their cash transfers to their recipients mobile money accounts. All their services from enrollment to sending the cash transfers are outstanding. I am afraid that from my point of view, there is nothing that Give Directly could possibly change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I rely on making charcoal as a source of income. However, the earnings are so unpredictable that sometimes all I can make in a good week is $6. Meanwhile, my husband tailors the fields with his two ox-plows, plowing for others just to make ends meet. Life was a constant jungle and the struggle to meet our needs was real. Then a glimmer of hope arrived in the form of Give Directly. Through the second cash transfer, I managed to use $220 to buy 30 silver iron sheets which I used to finish my three-roomed house that I already started constructing using the previous transfer for my nine children(4 girls and 5 boys ). They were constantly complaining that the previous house was small and could not accommodate all of them. Accomplishing the goal of constructing the house brought immense joy to them. They always say they cannot wait for the house to be finished so that they can have a place where they can feel their belongings are secure. I also used $ 260 to pay school fees for five children who are both in primary and the other two who are in secondary since they had huge debts before. I am now relieved that the debt is reduced and my children no longer face the risk of missing classes. I saved the rest of the amount to buy some goats so that when they multiply I can sell some of them to meet my needs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($375 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in my small kitchen, just finished preparing a late lunch after a long day of working on the farm. As I wanted to start serving the food, I heard a message tone coming from my phone on the table. I couldn't read, so I called my son over and asked him to check what kind of message it was. His eyes widened as he looked at the screen and said, "Mama, you received the first transfer." My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't contain my joy. I let out a loud ululation, tears of happiness streaming down my face. It was a moment of sheer relief and gratitude, knowing that this support from GiveDirectly would bring a brighter future for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I'm delighted to share how GiveDirectly transformed my life. Before, my children couldn't attend school regularly because we struggled to make ends meet. Their education was always at the mercy of our financial struggles, and it broke my heart to see them miss classes. But when GiveDirectly stepped in and provided us with financial support, everything changed. My heart and mind found peace knowing that my kids were back in school, receiving the education they deserved. This assistance not only lifted the burden of financial stress but also gave my family hope for a brighter future. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my children are now on the path to a better life through education, and I couldn't be more grateful for this life-changing support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I remember the day I received the first cash transfer from GiveDirectly like it was yesterday. With that money, I decided to change my family's life for the better. The first thing I used was $260 to buy building materials to construct a new house. I left my old house to my five children because they used to share a small space with their grandma in her house. Now, they have their own house, and the joy on their faces is priceless. Seeing them so happy and comfortable warms my heart.
But that wasn't all I did. I knew education was essential for their future, so I used $100 to pay the school fees for my two secondary school children. They had dreams, and I wanted to support them in every way I could. Another $150 went towards paying the school fees for my five primary school children, who had been on and off school due to fees. Now, they are all back in school, eager to learn and grow. Seeing my children happy, comfortable in their new home, and back in the classroom makes me the happiest parent in the world. GiveDirectly's support truly transformed our lives, and I will be forever grateful for that opportunity.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My family is made up of 12 members and we are all living in a two room house which lacks privacy. My husband does casual jobs earning approximately $100 per month which caters for food and school fees. I do subsistence farming and mostly I rely on the husband. Two children are schooling at Dida primary and they have a fees balance of $450. This has made the first born out of school for two weeks now. Five children are at Vitengeni primary and they have a fees balance of $200 . Their performance is really compromised. I will use $700 to clear the school fees balances so that they can settle at school. I will also use $400 to build a two room house for the family. This will uphold my dignity in the community.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I do subsistence farming and I rely on rainfall. My village has been under drought for three years. On March 2023 we received rain and started farming. The maize crops is doing well and anytime soon I will be harvesting. This brings happiness to me
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable job is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I do subsistence farming relying on my husband to get job and pay school fees for the children. He has been at home for four months now without any job. My son who is in secondary school was sent back home two weeks ago due to school fees and also the family has no food as for now.