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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 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 had I not received the transfer because I have been able to pay school fees for my children. Due to this, my children have been able to continue with their education after I had thought that some will have to drop out so that I would concentrate on a few.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by not discriminating on anyone and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent some amount to pay school fees my children. One is in college while the others who are in secondary school. Also, I decided to buy a heifer so that I will be earning income through milk sales when it starts to reproduce. I spent the remaining amount to buy food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My life has greatly changed since I received my first transfer. It is always my happiness to see my family happy and healthy thus I always struggle to put a meal on the table and bring in more assets that we can lean on as a family during hard times. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I spent it on my family wellness. I bought a cow that I look at it as an added asset and I believe that it will be calving soon thus giving us milk for both household consumption and sales. I am happy that this has given me a peaceful mind in that it has reduced my thinking of what to lean on in case of a financial crisis. Also, I spent some money on my son's school fees. I am at peace now since he had a humble time for his studies and sat for his exam peacefully. I am happy that GiveDirectly has improved our family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I realized that GiveDirectly had sent me money early that morning after reading the unread messages on my phone. I felt so happy knowing that financial support will fulfill my dreams of bringing more assets to my family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a heifer worth KES 20000. I settled on this so that when it calves, I will have milk for both household consumption and sales to earn an extra income. Also, I spent some amount to buy some building materials to use in building a house for my family. I bought some timber, building poles, nails, iron sheets and paid a mason the full cost to complete the construction. I settled on this so that my children will have a better decent and spacious room to spend their night in. Also, I cleared school fees arrears for my son so that he would be able to collect his secondary school certificate without much trouble. I spent the remaining amount on buying some basic needs for my family and to cater for our daily expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me accomplish three things that I had set to do before the year ends; clear school fees arrears,build a house and buy a cow.The current economic times have made the cost of living very high hence the little money I earn from constructing houses has not allowed me to make savings in order to fulfil the above.This is therefore a God-given opportunity for me to do so and I am grateful to GiveDirectly
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning.It is during this time when I get jobs from within and outside the village to build new houses pr make repairs.When I get this,it makes me very happy because I know that once the job is complete,I will be able to earn some money to meet my family's needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest struggle I have had for quite a long time is raising school fees for my children.I had four children in secondary school at some point and their fees together with all the needs at home was a huge struggle for me.My job earns me a very small income which is hardly enough to feed and educate as well as meet all the other needs.I even had to fundraise to be able to cope but this too did not help much.As a result,the children had to sometimes stay home while their collegues continued with their studies.
