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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I was able to pay school fees for my children in various schools. My children were not sent home to collect the school fees and this improved their performance since they had enough time to study. I depend on small scale farming and the harvest that we get is so small and only for consumption. At some point we sell the surplus to earn an income to meet other basic household needs including paying school fees .Currently my children are studying well without being disturbed. I also have peace of mind to do my daily activities at home. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has enabled me to work harder to ensure that my children complete their studies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to water tank. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on paying school fees for my children in various schools. Their performance improved because they were not sent home. I also bought sofa set seats and food for the family. The rest of the money I bought a heifer. Buying a heifer will enable me to cut the daily cost of buying milk. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 1pm when I heard people telling each other that the transfer had arrived and mine had not. Shortly afterwards, I also received the transfer message and I was very excited that the smile I wore on my face could tell everyone that something interesting was happening in my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been able to take a little break from looking for school fees. My sons did not like it when they had to go asking for friends for a place to sleep every night. It is a dream come true for them to have their own house and we do not know how much we can thank GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I built my sons a house since they did not have their own and used to sleep at their friends'. I also paid school fees for them as they are all in secondary school and it was such a great relief since I was worried where I was going to get money to pay their school fees.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have three kids who are still pursuing their studies. As such, receiving this money means that they shall all complete their grade 12 or even higher. As a widower, raising, feeding, and educating my children has been a challenge because I have no formal employment or any source of substantial income. I have sold all the livestock I had, hence, I will buy a cow that will mature and reproduce. So, I will get milk for sale and consumption as well as heifers that will be sold to get the needed school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As the only parent to my children, the happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am retiring to bed well aware that my children are well-fed and satisfied. Such a feeling makes me sleep well too.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my wife when my children were still young. She succumbed to a relatively short ailment. Accordingly, I had to do away with the casual job I was doing by then to come and care for my young kids. Even so, I have been struggling to ensure that my children are fairing on well. Nonetheless, we all feel the gap that she (my wife) left. Overall, her death serves as the biggest hardship we have faced as a family.
