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 ($435 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My dream is to raise funds in some way and start a groceries shop. I would intend to sell veggies and fruits at Bamba Market as a potential secondary source of income for me and my family. This would greatly help in getting us and keeping us financially stable.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Not only did GiveDirectly give me a second channel of income through my charcoal, it impacted the lives of me and my kids greatly by allowing me to cover some of the financial obligations that were drowning us as a family. GiveDirectly excels at transforming lives for the better. All I would ask is that their work continues and they continue to be a blessing to many others
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the transfers I received, I purchased 2 cows and 5 goats, with the aim of rearing them and selling them. While my husband is jobless at the moment, I have been growing maize and other cereals and selling them at Bamba Market for KES. 6,000 for a sack of maize and KES. 5,000 for other cereals. Between my 3 dependant kids and my grand child, both my husband and I would have been hard pressed to cater for their school fees. With the funds I partially paid for my 3rd, 4th and 5th Born's school fees, which comes to KES. 300 each per month and used the remainder of the funds to boost my business by buying charcoal for sale in the area. If GiveDirectly had not be as prudent as to send me those transfers, I dread to think how my husband and I would have made ends meet, since even food was partially catered for by the funds.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was preparing breakfast for my children on that Thursday morning when my phone started to ring continuously. I was so curious as to who had sent the message at a particular time of the hour. But since I couldn't read, I asked my son to check the contents. Upon reading, he realized that it was an Mpesa text from Segovia Technology. I had finally received the cash transfers that I had eagerly been waiting for. I was so excited and felt blessed for the fortune and thanked the organisation for honouring their promise timely.
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 have four goats that I am currently keeping in my compound. It has been my wish to own them for years but I couldn't afford any at my cost because they were extremely expensive. I however opted for them because they grow and mature faster compared to the other domestic animals. I am hoping that soon they will increase in number at a higher rate and have many of them. I will be selling some and catering to the family's needs and saving the remaining cash purposely for my son's education journey. Once he transitions to secondary school I will have saved a lot and I will not have to strain. For now, my spouse and I depend on farming activities and charcoal business which is seasonal. I am glad that finally, I can see light at the end of the tunnel.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 9000 of my first cash transfer on buying a new bed and a high-density mattress. I had been longing to upgrade my beddings from the traditional ones but I could not afford them because of the financial hardships. I have been experiencing lots of discomfort and pains for the last thirty years. It is now a relief to me and I am so grateful for that. Additionally, I bought a wooden door at KES 4000 to fix on my house because the initial one had worn out. Also, I purchased four goats at KES 20000. I resolved for them because they take a shorter time to grow. Apart from that, I paid fees of KES 2000 and bought new uniforms for my one school going, child. With the remaining cash, I have been buying food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a family of five members. My husband and I are casual laborers earning approximately KES 3000 each every month. This is not enough for the family necessities. In 2020, my son did his KCPE and got a calling later to join secondary school. It was hard for him to join because I did not have money to pay his school fees. Upon receiving my money, I will buy 30 goats as an investment at a cost of KES 90000. This will help me educate my two daughters once they join secondary school. I will also use KES 20000 to buy food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two weeks ago, the Muslim people in our village gave relief food to every household. I got two bags of 90kg flour. This food will last for two months. The relief food brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My village has not received rain for the past two years. I have majorly relied on agriculture as the source of food for my family. Due to lack of rain, my family has suffered famine for quit long now. We take one meal per day something that has affected my daughter's performance at school. Lack of food is the current challenge I am facing .
