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 ($450 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?
I would like to complete my three-roomed house that is under construction. I will also like to open a retail business that will help me pay my children's school fees without strain.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly sending money directly to your accounts helps speed up the contact rate and we can easily withdraw the money and use it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My child just started high school and I paid $120 for the first term. I also have two more children in high school of which I had not paid their school fees. The debt had accumulated to $180 and I paid it. I work as a brick mason, getting a daily wage of $30 a week. The money is used to buy food for my family. For a long time paying school fees for my children has been a struggle. A lot of time the children have been sent home which became embarrassing to them and they once opted to stop school. It broke my heart but promised then I will try my best to find the money.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning when I was preparing myself for my daily hustles when a message tone from my phone rang twice. I called one of my sons to check what kind of a message it was and he told me that I had won some money. I wondered how I can win without competing! I called my second son who told me the same thing after checking. While still wondering, I received a call from a friend who seemed happy and he asked me whether I had received the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. I explained the scenario to him and he confirmed that was the first transfer. I felt happy to an extent of not going to where I was planning to go.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The main difference that I can testify of GiveDirectly transfer is that it aided me to settle school fees problem where my children were ever sent home for the same as well as enabling me to take my son to form one. If it were not for GiveDirectly, I am not sure if my children would be in school as of now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I did after withdrawing the money was to settle school fees for my children. For a while, my children have been on and off school due to school fees. Therefore, I paid KES 5000.00 for my son who is in form three and did some shopping for KES 9500 for another son who had just completed primary level and he was joining secondary school. I also bought a plowing bull for KES 12000.00 since I knew the land preparation time for farming was near and the bull will be my source of income. I also bought some clothes and food for my family. Thereafter, I bought some building materials aiming to build some rental houses.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Educating my children has always been my priority. This is because I want a better life for my children than mine. I have one child in secondary school and another one who is currently doing her exams. She will be joining secondary school in May and I had no idea where I will get the money. I will therefore channel 20,000 KES of the transfers to her education. I will also invest in livestock farming by buying two heifers at a cost of 15,000 KES. This will be a good investment that will help me educate my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My joy comes in seeing my children going on with their studies. I recently got bursary from the government that helped me clear school fees for my daughter. This brought me a lot of joy because she can now concentrate on her studies for at least a term or two without interference.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With my little income from farming and selling charcoal, it becomes very hard to satisfy all the family's needs. Most of the times, my children are sent home due to school fees balances. This usually gives me a lot of headache. I am currently pondering where I will get money for my daughter to join Secondary school come May. She is currently sitting for her final examinations. Food on the other hand is a daily need which I must buy. The rains have been gone too long and my farm is of no help.
