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
53150 KES ($441 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Giving my children the best education is my innermost desire, Therefore, my goal is for me to be able to work extra hard and also join more self-help to see my children through school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has empowered me beyond my limits, I never thought that I would have achieved a lot in a short period. It made the impossible to be easy because we were showered with unconditional cash, thus, we were able to accomplish our immediate needs. Throughout my interaction with the GiveDirectly staff, I have not seen anything that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The cost of buying milk daily was very expensive, I use at least two litres daily which is sold at KES 80. My source of income is very little for me to be able to put up with such a lifestyle, I am a farmer and a mother of four children. Upon receiving my second transfer, I thought of purchasing a dairy cow worth KES 30,000 to cut down on the cost of buying milk daily. This was not possible before due to school fees and responsibilities and with my little income I could not afford to buy a cow. Thereafter, I went on to build a decent house for my children, I lack words to express my gratitude to the organization because my children have a comfortable place to sleep unlike before when they used to spend the night at my neighbour's place. I am forever grateful for the support that listed my living standards amazingly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($473 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home taking breakfast at around 8a.m and I heard my phone vibrating. When I checked, it was an MPESA message from Givedirectly confirming the promised transfer. Receiving this message brightened my day and I knew I was going to initiate all the plans I had on top of my list immediately.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the relief I got after clearing school fees of my child who was joining form one. It had been giving me sleepless nights since I didn't have hope of getting the amount that was needed for him to be admitted to the school. The support from Givedirectly was timely and I am so thankful for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my first transfer, I spent KES 25,000 on paying school fees for my son who was joining form one. He is now fully settled in school for the entire term in school. My mind is now settled and is at peace as I continue with my normal casual jobs to cater to other family needs. I also bought a dairy cow for KES 30,000 which we are currently milking three liters per day. This has allowed us to reduce the expenses of buying milk daily and be able to be for other family needs. I am grateful to Givedirectly for the support and waiting for my second transfer to do more.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother of 4 boys. They solely depend on me to fend for them. We have been afflicted by poverty and have borne the brunt of it. Life is hard for me and I have suffered for a long time. Sometimes I feel like a lesser human, I am looked down upon in society because of my state. We have been faced with a myriad of challenges from lack of clothing to scarcity of food. When I received this money I will use KES 10000 to buys clothes and beddings. We sleep on rags at the moment and when it is cold we experience cold nights and I feel so bad and empathize with my young children. The situation is worsened during the rainy season. My young son developed a cold last December because of the situation.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My 4 children give me hope and the essence of existence. I cannot imagine life without children, it could have been so boring, they are a blessing, even though life has hit me so hard, it is my children who lighten up my otherwise dull days. They give me the strength to set out every morning to look for casual jobs to be able to put food on the table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the mother of all my problems. Since the outbreak of maize disease sometime in 2008, it has proved difficult to do maize farming. We purchase from the nearby Chebunyo market at KES 100 per 2 kg packet. I depend on casual jobs which are scarce and unsustainable. When I am lucky to get one I use it all to purchase the maize flour just to be able to cook porridge. Sometimes last year my young son was at the verge of developing kwashiorkor because of malnutrition, it took the effort of my neighbour who assisted me with the cup of milk daily and it salvaged the situation. I have been so hopeless and destitute.
