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 ($436 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I want my children to have the best education possible so that they can excel in life. To ensure that this dream is realized, I intend to work in agriculture so that I can become financially independent and, as a result, afford their school fees. I'm hoping to be able to accomplish this.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization conducted its operations very well, especially when probing; you would think they had known you for a long time because their probing skills were top-notch. We were all treated with dignity and respect. From the beginning of our interaction, we felt that our opinions were valued and that they provided us with the best services possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I prioritized building a decent house for our family after receiving my transfer. This is because our previous home was small, but we didn't have a choice due to our financial situation and school fee obligations. I am a farmer, and my husband makes a living by selling hens. We have seven kids. As a result, we spent the entire $550 on building the house. We will be eternally grateful because we were able to construct a decent home for our family, which was not previously possible.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can vividly recall that it was early in the morning when I was at home busy preparing breakfast for my family. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing and vibrating. Upon checking, I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received a sum of KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness because I knew that I would be able to accomplish the goals that I had. I am thankful for the support that I received.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Knowing that I would be able to construct a decent house for my family Gives me peace of mind. Raising school fees for my children had hindered me from achieving the goal. Since I only depended on farming which was not that productive due to climate change in our region. I am so grateful for the support that brought so much hope for a better tomorrow by empowering both the young and the elderly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly was the best thing that had happened to us. I am a farmer and a mother of nine children. Upon the receipt of my transfer, I saw it fit to save up KES 30,000 so that I would be able to construct a decent house once I receive my second transfer. I then used the remaining amount on foodstuffs, clothes and household items. The reason I desire to construct a bigger house is that the house that we are currently living in is small, yet I had no funds of building a decent house due to financial constraints due to school fees responsibilities. GiveDirectly gave me the perfect opportunity for me to change my living standards thus I am thankful.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my children will be able to have a conducive environment to do evening studies at home. I would like to build a 2 roomed house adjacent to the one I currently have where it will serve as a study room and also a bedroom for the kids. I will also have to install solar lighting in the house because we are not yet connected to the national electricity grid. This will ensure that the kids study without any problems. At the moment they do not get enough time to study because I think we disturb them a lot in the main house and they cannot concentrate. The lighting we have also is not bright enough and the battery depletes so fast. I believe that they could do better in school if good study conditions are provided at home.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I planted maize some 3 months ago and they made it to maturity. In fact we are preparing to harvest them this coming week. This gave me a lot of happiness because I am sure that my household will have food for the next one year.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have challenges with inadequate housing and insufficient water supply. I most of the time wish that my children could have sufficient space to sleep and study but the house is too small. It doesn't also add up that we still sleep in the same house with grown up children but since we cannot afford a new house we just have to put up with the situation. During dry seasons water is a big problem here also. We usually have to walk several kilometers to fetch water which is time consuming and tedious. We are however thankful to God that there have been rains for the past 4 months.
