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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
For the coming year and beyond, my goal is to pay off a $600 debt for my child, who completed secondary education last year. His secondary school certificate is being held by the school until this fee is settled, which has prevented him from applying for tertiary education. To achieve this, I plan to plant watermelons on my one-acre land in August using the third transfer. Watermelons typically take about two months to harvest, and I expect to earn around $1500 from this project. This expected income will enable me to clear the outstanding school fees and allow my child to receive his certificate and enrol in college for tertiary education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I want to highlight the great services provided by GD's field staff. During the enrollment process, they were extremely courteous and patient, making sure that we understood everything. Additionally, GD has done well sending transfers directly to our accounts, preventing any deductions by third parties, and ensuring that we receive the full transfer amount. However, the organization could improve their punctuality during field visits. Waiting for them often results in wasted time, so it would be helpful if they could be there by 9:00 am instead of 10:00 am or 11:00 am.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $200 from the recent transfer to pay my child's secondary school fees. This allowed me to clear the arrears from the last term and cover the fees for the second term. I am really happy about this because it means my child can focus on their studies without the disruption of being sent home for unpaid fees. In addition, I invested $100 to buy two goats. Goats reproduce quickly in our area, providing a reliable future source of income to support my children's education. Owning goats will enable us to sell offspring periodically, which can help cover educational expenses and other needs over time. I also spent $100 on six iron sheets. My plan is to replace the old, worn-out iron sheets on the walls of our house. This renovation will make our home more attractive, provide better protection against crawling insects, and significantly improve our living conditions. I used the remaining amount from the transfer to buy food for my family
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18240 KES ($139 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At the women's conference, I made sure to switch off my phone to avoid any distractions during the session. After the meeting wrapped up around 5 pm, I opened my phone to find a message that left me beaming with joy - I had received $182.4. I couldn't contain my excitement and started jumping around, which caught the attention of the other women. When they asked what was wrong, I shared the news. I had received the money from GiveDirectly, fulfilling their promise. I was thrilled and couldn't wait to get home and start actualizing my plans.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving support from GiveDirectly, I worried constantly about my youngest daughter who attended a day school. As a girl, she had to leave home as early as 4-5 am and return late in the evening around 8 pm, which was a risky situation. However, the blessings brought by GiveDirectly's support allowed me to enroll my daughter in a boarding school, relieving me of those worries. The decision to send her to a boarding school has had a positive impact, improving her academic performance and overall well-being. I am grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been relying on casual jobs and charcoal production with my husband to sustain our five children, including one in high school and another who had recently finished high school with arrears of $600. With my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to enroll my daughter in a boarding school, Initially, she was enrolled in a day school, which was a risk considering she would have to leave home at 5 am and return late in the evening. The decision to enroll our daughter in a boarding school has had a positive impact, as it has improved her educational performance and overall well-being. To ensure we had food, I invested $40 in essential food items. Additionally, I bought new clothes for my kids, which cost $30, as their old ones were worn out. With the remaining $12.4, I chose to offer a religious tithe to God, expressing gratitude for the blessings we had received.
Enrolled
access_time 8 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
When I receive my transfers, I plan on paying school fees for my three children. I intend to use $100 to cover the school fees for my daughter in grade 11. Additionally, I plan to invest $140 in cultivating Boma Rhodes on my 2-acre piece of land, which I had previously leased out. My goal is to generate income from this grass and use the profits to settle all the school fee arrears, amounting to $500, for my daughter who completed grade 12 in 2023 and has not yet picked up her certificate. As a family of five, we heavily rely on earning $4 daily from casual jobs, which mostly goes towards food expenses and partly towards school fees. I am hopeful that these transfers will alleviate the financial burden that has been weighing heavily on my family, and I eagerly anticipate the positive impact they will have on our lives.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Indeed, family love and unity are invaluable. During the December holiday, it was a joyous occasion when my grandchildren visited us after 8 months of being apart. Their arrival brought not only happiness but also relief. They generously brought clothing for us and food for the household, instantly improving our food security. This act of kindness meant I could reduce the days I spent on casual jobs because we now had enough food on the table. The memory of that day fills me with a profound sense of relief and gratitude, reminding me of the strength and support we find in our family bonds.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising school fees for my children has been an ongoing challenge for our family of five. We rely on income from casual jobs like charcoal burning, tomato harvesting, and weeding, earning about $4 per day. Unfortunately, all of this income is allocated towards covering our daily food expenses and paying part of the school fees for our three children. Presently, we still owe $500 in school fees for my daughter, who completed grade 12 in 2023. Due to this outstanding balance, she has not been able to collect her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, and I fear that without it, she will not be able to pursue further education. This situation weighs heavily on our family, and we are hoping for a solution to ensure our daughter's educational journey can continue.
