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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my recent transfer in paying school fees for my children. My eldest son's school is Mwijo secondary school and is a form one student. Being the end of the term, I had to clear his school fee balance before he could sit for the exams. I spent KSH 2000 to clear the school fees arrears, and he sat for the exams with no interruptions. I further spent the remaining KSH to pay for my three children who are in primary school. One of the three completed his final primary education last week and I hope he will pass his examinations with flying colors and join secondary school in May. Paying school fees for my children has been a struggle because I earn little from my business of selling coconuts and cassava in the market. My husband, who is a community worker, earns very little, which is not enough to support our family fully.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I sell coconut for a living. My daily earning is around ksh600. Even though my husband helps out with the bills, the burden of school fee payment and food provision is usually on me. Therefore, when I got my first transfer, I used ksh1000 on food and the remaining ksh200 to pay for the children's school fees. As for my second and third transfers, I spent them all on my children's school fees.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 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?
Give directly has enabled me to continuously support my children by paying school fees and even buying them food which has been a difficult thing to do. I do not find anything that Give directly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My form one child has been having some difficulties in school. He has been constantly been sent home and he felt as though they were making fun of him due to his lack of money. He even performed poorly. This pierced my heart as his mother is not able to provide a good studying environment for him. I decided once I got this transfer to give home the majority of the money to pay his debt. He was able to go with KES.2000. The rest of the money which was KES.1000 was spent on food to give him the strength to concentrate in class and on his studies. I am very grateful to Give Directly for lifting this heavy load off my shoulder.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had woken up early doing chores in the homestead when I got wind that I had received this money. I went to check my messages and found I had received my transfer. I was so happy as I had been waiting for this transfer.
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 now can have a peaceful life as I had a tough life worrying about how to provide food for our family. That I am now able to pay school fees without breaking a sweat.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
During this time my family has been struggling with having a stable income. This means that having enough meals for the whole family was a miracle. With this no eg I was able to buy KES.200 on good and the other kes.1000 on school fees for my children who had been sent home due to balance. Both my wife and I are farmers on our small piece of land but it has been difficult to make a living for our family of four especially on things other than the basics. I know things will get better in the future thanks to Give directly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money comes to me as a gift from Give Directly. In the frican culture, gifts are really treasured, therefore, I will use it to cater for some basic needs like food and school fees for my children.
As I cater for those, I intend to save 1,500 KES every month for 5 months to raise money towards a green grocery and coconut selling business as I channel the remaining 1,500 KES to other needs. I feel really honored to be receiving these funds.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the month of April 2020, my children who are married and don't live in this village decided to come together, paid my husband and I a surprise visit. They were with us for three days and this brought back so many nice memories of when I was bringing them up. We told stories, looked back on past years and enjoyed each other's company during that time. I still feel overjoyed by the gesture and hope for more of those surprises.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
At the moment, I honestly have nothing sitting heavily on my mind. I'm grateful that we get by on a daily basis without worrying about sickness, lack of food, lack of school fees and such like issues. Three of my children are married and doing well whereas the remaining three are in school. I am grateful.
