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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($432 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
GiveDirectly's assistance came at an opportune time in lifting our finances, and we will be eternally grateful to the organization for the assistance that empowered us. My dream is for me to be able to start a business of selling maize that would help in boosting my finances. To achieve this goal, I intend to use the money I earn from casual work by rolling it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The assistance from GiveDirectly went a long way toward improving our living situation; we were informed about the program's purpose and given the option of how to spend our money. The organization's assistance, in my opinion, has been critical in raising the living standards of people in my community. Because of unconditional support, individuals were able to spend money on their needs. So far, I did not see any loopholes or things that needed to be corrected.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my second transfer, my top priority was to pay my children's school fees. Because of the lump sum that we received, I knew this was the ideal opportunity. As a result, when I received my transfer, I spent $ 220 on school fees and the rest on groceries. I am a single mother of three children who relies on casual jobs to make ends meet. It has not been easy raising the three children by myself because my income is not consistent and I have school fees to pay. The GiveDirectly assistance was a huge relief because it boosted my finances and allowed me to reduce my school fees arrears, and thus, I am forever grateful.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($477 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Receiving a message from Givedirectly that morning brought forth a lot of joy. It was 7a.m.in the morning and I was preparing breakfast. I heard my phone vibrate and when I checked, it was a confirmation of KES 55,000 that we had been promised by Givedirectly officers.
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 of completion of school fees arrears for my son in high school. It had given me a hard time and I considered it a top priority. I am hoping to still do more with my transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a single mother of three meeting all my family's needs has never been easy. I depended on manual jobs which could not sort all my bills. With KES 25,000 I bought a bull which was na addition to my livestock and I can sell whenever I have an emergency. With KES 3500 , I bought a sheep which also can multiply easily and can later sell to cater for school fees for my son. I also spent KES 20,000 on paying fees for my son who is in university. I am grateful that he was able to study peacefully during the semester.With the remaining amount, I spent on buying clothes for my household members.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better livelihood for me and my family. I plan to use KES 30,000 to purchase a dairy cow which will not only give me milk but also earn me an income through the sale of milk. I depend on casual jobs as a source of income, which is also unsustainable since we depend on planting seasons to get these jobs. At most in a day, I make KES 200 which goes to food. I strain a lot to at school fees for my three children in school. For the rest of the amount, I will pay school fees for my children in school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three months ago, it started raining and the maize crops I planted are doing well. It brings me to hope that I will harvest some maize this year that will help me feed my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints. I have a sister I take care of who is sick ( has a terminal disease). For more than five years, she is sick and under my care. Seeking medical attention and affording medical treatment is the real challenge. She also has children who are under my care.
