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 ($438 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?
The new goal that I have now is to save some money so that I can buy a more significant piece of land. I live on small land and I cannot do any farming apart from renting from my neighbors which is so costly for me.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The majority of the people in our village were able to build better houses. This is because they lived in small grass-thatched houses that could not host them comfortably. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had built a better and more spacious house but did not have the money to purchase the sofa set seats. it was so demoralizing especially when I have visitors at home, There were no seats to sit on. I spent $230 on purchasing sofa set seats. I am so happy because currently my house looks so decent and I no longer get worried whenever I have visitors. I spent $70 on purchasing a goat, Goats reproduce faster and this will help me in paying the school fees for my children since I would sell the young ones to get some money for the school fees. I spent $60 on purchasing two sacks of maize to feed my family. This is because we did not have enough in store at that time. The rest of the money I spent on purchasing household basic needs and clothes for my children. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($480 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was busy with the house chores when suddenly I heard my phone ringing, On checking, I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received the promised transfer, I was overwhelmed with joy, words cannot explain how happy I was, I knew that I would be able to accomplish the goals had. I am grateful for the support that brought so much joy and fulfilment.
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 no longer owe anyone money, this is because I was able to pay school fees with the transfer that I had received, I feel at ease now, I can also sleep in peace, I have been able to accomplish most of the goals that I had within a short time, I am highly grateful for the support that has lifted my living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a trained teacher nursery teacher, School has been my major challenge, this is because what I earn is very little to cater for all our needs, thus upon receiving my transfer I used KES 20,000 to pay for school fees for my children in the university and secondary respectively. I then bought sofa set seats worth KES15,000. I am so relieved that they can all comfortably study.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will comfortably afford to pay for school fees and start a business. I have had an ambition of starting a business of selling cereals in a nearby market. I also have two children in secondary school and one who joined university. With an income of KES. 150 per day which I get selling porridge in the market, and my husband who is also a driver in Kericho earns KES. 300 per day. This amount is not enough to pay for school fees and meet other basic needs in the family. I therefore appreciate this transfers from Givedirectly as it will enable me to start cereal business. This will boost my income and easily pay for school fees. I plan to use the first transfers in starting the business and pay school fees using the entire second transfers.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband was able to secure his job four months ago now. His income has enabled us in the family to afford a meal and other basic needs. He was able to buy books and school uniforms from what he earns. This has brought us joy within the family. Children are now happy since they look good in school unlike before when they were still wearing tattered clothes.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge the I currently face is a huge school fees balance of KES. 53,000. I have been going to school to discuss with the head teacher about it and he recently told me to offset some amount. I really don't have anything to sell in order to pay and reduce that amount and this really worries me. My children are going to face hard time in school and eventually affects their performance. I am thankful to Givedirectly transfers as it will assist me to offset this accrued school fees balance.
