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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was at home relaxing. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing. On checking, I saw a message showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and grateful for the opportunity that I was given for me to transform my life, I knew that I will be able to pay school fees for my children and that my dream of building a decent house would be realised in a short time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to accomplish my dreams in a short period. My children can comfortably study in school without having to worry about being sent home to collect school fees. The house that I am living in is now complete and decent. I am grateful to the organization for putting smiles on our faces and for transforming our living standards into a higher one.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had started constructing a decent house but unfortunately, I was unable to do the completion because I ran out of money. Thus it was left halfway, the transfer came as a relief in my life, in that I used KES 40,000 in completing the house. In addition to that, I paid the school fees arrears worth KES 15,000. I now have peace of mind since I no longer worry about the school fees. I am thankful that have for having accomplished a goal that had been pending for a while, thus I am forever grateful for the support.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have two children in secondary school and college whom I have to pay for their academic fees. I used to depend on maize farming as a source of income but over 5 years now the maize has been affected by lethal necrosis and its yield has reduced. I then resorted to casual jobs weeding peoples farm where I earn KES 100 per day however it is insufficient to meet all my household needs. So when I receive this transfer I will use KES 20000 to clear school fee arrears and the remaining amount I will use to complete house construction.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a widow and before the death of my husband, he had plans to construct a permanent house and had bought some materials. After his death, I did not have money to start the construction since he was our provider and I was left with children in school. Recently, My daughter got married and I was given seven cows as dowry and I decided to sell them and construct that permanent house. The money I got enabled me to build the house up to roofing and this has brought joy into my life. I am hopeful that I will soon complete it now that Givedirectly has come to my aid
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints. I do casual jobs around the village which are not consistent and even when I get my pay is usually KES 100 per day and cannot sustain all my household needs including paying school fees for my children. I am now worried that my daughter who is yet to sit for her final exam will not have humble time to revise for her final exam due to constantly being sent home to collect school fees.
