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
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I do not have entirely new goals that I would want to accomplish except to be able to be able to complete the construction of a cow shade that I had built halfway. I am yet to have the floor cemented and I intend to save money from the sale of milk to be able to do this.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did well by giving us the freedom to decide on how to spend the money. With this freedom everyone was able to do things that empowered them and everyone in the village is happy and content with whatever they do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 30000 to pay school fees for my children and used the remaining amount to buy food and clothes for my children. Had I not received the money then it would mean that I would have borrowed money to be able to pay the school fees or sell some of my personal assets to be able to accumulate the money needed. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for giving me a helping hand and making sure that I keep my children in school for the entire term.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11pm while asleep when I was awokened by an SMS alert on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I and my wife were very excited and grateful to GiveDirectly.
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 the transfers is tiling the floor of my house making it very beautiful and more comfortable.This is because I had desired it to tile it but I couldn't afford due to school fees burdens.Through the transfers, I have also managed to pay some of my kids school fees and their accommodation fees.I normally rely on carpentry in order to pay school fees for my kids.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES28000 on upgrading the floor of my house from a cemented floor to a tiled floor. This is because the cemented floor had cracks making it hard to clean. I also spent KES16000 on settlement of my kids accommodation and school fees. I used KES5000 on increasing my carpentry timber stock and KES6000 on clothing and food.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help in paying school fess for my 3 children who are in college. I plan on using KES 50,000 to pay for the 3 so that I don't get a loan as they are about to finish their school year. Once that is done I wish to use about KES 20,000 to finish cementing my house floor and the rest to build a cow shed for my cows.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past six months I've been able to fully pay school fees for my children to attain quality education. This has been a struggle but in the last 6 months my income from selling milk and the furniture at my workshop had an increased profit.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest challenge is paying school fees for my children. I own a small carpentry workshop and make a living out of the income I get from the shop. I also get a pension fee of KES 12,000 each month. The income I get is insufficient to support my 3 children in college and I also have to pay for their school expenses such as rent and food.
