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 ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for helping every household in the village that qualified according to their criteria was enrolled. The officers politely performed their duties and treated every household well without discrimination. I do not see any that did not go well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I invested KES 20,000 into the kid's education by paying part of the school fees. Furthermore, I spent KES 15,000 to boost my small business of selling dry fish in the village. It was not stable due to low capital that resulted into low-income level. I also bought proper beddings for the family for KES 12,000, acquired a new bed and mattress since I was using old beddings that were uncomfortable. With the remaining amount, I bought enough foodstuff for the family.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With 4 children still schooling, two at university level and the other two at secondary school. My main goal was to invest in their educational needs which I am happy to have accomplished with the assistance from GiveDirectly. My new goal is to construct a separate house for 5 children who were left under my care after their both parents died 3year ago. With a family of 12 children, our house is no longer enough to fully accommodate both of us.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent almost the whole of my transfer in settling my three children's school fees arrears because I did not want any of them to stay at home and it cost a total of KES45000. I did this, especially for my son who is in his final year at the university who owed them KES25000, because he is the eldest and will be a good example and beacon of hope to his younger siblings. He will, as well, be a pillar of support to me because I believe that with his level of education he stands a good chance of getting employed and come to help me take care of the others and even address some of the challenges that we will face in the future. I also spent KES5000 to buy two goats because apart from the investment in education, goats are also another investment because they will grow and multiply and I will be able to sell one or two in the future and address the particular financial challenge I will face.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving payments from GiveDirectly is the fact that our living standards have been raised, especially for my three children's education. I was basically struggling to get them stay in school instead of home, therefore, the peace of mind I now have is the biggest difference in my daily life and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy and good when I received the money because I had gotten something to help me address the challenges that were so pressing, especially school fees for my three children whom two of them are in secondary school and one is in the university. This money saved me because through it, my children are comfortably in school and my mind is at peace.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in life is lack of enough money to support our family's needs. I go to the forest, cut down trees for firewood. I sell the firewood to small hotels in Bamba. With a family of 7 children, four being orphans that were left behind by a relative, the money I get from the firewood business is not enough. I make approximately 6,000 KES. This amount is totally not enough for us. This has made us to depend on my husband who works in Mombasa.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. I spend my morning doing house chores and the head to the forest to cut trees for firewood. Cutting down trees by use of an axe is very tiresome. I return home during the afternoon to rest.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means good education for my children and a decent house for myself. I have 3 children who are in secondary school and one in the university. Paying tuition fees for these children has been my biggest challenge. As at the moment, I have fee arrears totalling to 50,000 KES. I intend to use the whole of the first transfer to clear all the fee arrears. Education for my children is the number one priority. For the second transfer, I will use 25,000 KES to renovate my house, specifically the interior part. My house was constructed by use of mud. Some parts of the walls are falling leaving holes on the walls. The holes somehow interfere with my privacy. I will finally use the money that will remain to buy food. This will reduce the burden on my husband. We have all been depending on him husband to provide for us.
