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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Prior to receiving the money I had pending debts due to the fact that I went ahead to borrow money previously because my son wanted to enroll in highschool and since I had no money I asked for a loan so that I could enable him to go to school and join the rest of his peers in school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am thankful to GiveDirectly because I feared my other children would face the same fate their elder siblings had of having to drop out of school due to no money but with the money I was so relieved that I could finally settle my debts and allow my children to go to school like other children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I went ahead to pay the debts that I had since I wanted my son to be able to join highschool since two of my eldest daughters dropped out of school some years back due to the lack of financial capability and so since I did not want the same fate for my other children and chose to borrow money and so I paid KES 15,000 that I used for shopping for his school items and KES 18,000 that I paid for his fees and enrollment in school. I also bought two goats at KES 6,000 so that I could rear for domestic purposes. Then I went ahead and bought a bed and two mattresses one to be shared by my sons and the other by me and my daughters because before we used mats to sleep on the ground with which cost me KES 4,500 for the bed and KES 9,200 or the two mattresses. I also paid KES 2,000 in tuition for my three younger kids in primary school and used the remaining KES 3,000 to buy maize flour .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I practice farming temporary basis. This requires me to wake up early to go to the field tethering my goats. I heard loud messages alarm on my phone. Being illiterate I could understand the message, I had to wait for my helper to return home from school to interpret the message. I was very happy when he informed me that I had received the 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 am finally living a debt-free life after paying off all the money that I had borrowed from my neighbors. I was always afraid that I may fail to complete the debt. I am grateful for the aid. In addition, I am spending my nights using comfortable beddings unlike before when I use to sleep on the floor with sacks.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25,000 to clear the debt that I had borrowed from my neighbors to support my child education who was joining secondary school. This is because my job of charcoal burning could not earn me enough income to support his education. In addition, I used KES 14,200 to purchase beddings for my family since we were spending our nights on the floor using sacks as beddings. It was shameful whenever we received guests but I did not have money to purchase proper beddings. Furthermore, I bought 2 more goats to boost my reliable source of income for my family. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing clothes for the family members.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am married to a polygamous husband. I am the second wife. My husband does not have a formal job neither does he have a business that generates a continuous flow of income. I am blessed with 7 children, 3 whom had to get into early marriages due to my inability to take them to secondary school level. The 4 remaining children I am with, 2 have managed to join the secondary school level having been offered a helping hand by their uncle. So, receiving this money, means a continuity in education to my children who are frequently sent out of school for fees. I will be able to pay for them at least to enable them realize their academic goals.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Whenever I wake up very early in the morning, I check and confirm that my children are healthy. I also move around to my co-wives to check if they are fine. This to me is the happiest part of the day, as it gives me the reason to go out and hustle hard for my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I gave birth to my beautiful daughter in 2013, who happens to be my last born. For all the previous deliveries, all has been well. However, for my daughter, it has been a different story. I had a prolonged labour pain, got induced to no vain. The doctors said it's a false labour and even allowed me to return home. No sooner had I boarded a motorcycle than I break the water. I had to be helped by the nurses and by the time I was delivering, my daughter had sniffed much of the smell from the green water. My daughter was taken to a baby care and was finally diagnosed with meconium. Up-to-date, she still suffers the same problem. Being jobless with my husband, I cannot afford to take her for further medical tests and treatment. My daughter's suffering has been the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life.
