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
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it was before in that, through the transfer I was able to clear the fee balances for my child and now he learning without being sent home due to fees. Previously, he was always out of school due to fee arrears. Also, I am now sleeping on comfortable beddings, back in the days, I was sleeping on old sacks which were not soft and I was always feeling backache. In addition, I was able to construct a decent shelter for my farming and acquired 5 goats, my future investment for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is do well for sending me cash transfers. I was stranded on what I could do to educate my child. I don't see anything that it not doing well. I am grateful for the aid.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer on constructing a spacious house for my family. We use to stay in a single room house which was very small to accommodate my family and my children. I used my transfer to construct a two-roomed, iron sheet roofed house. I also, spend $250 to clear the fees arrear for my 5th child who is in secondary. Being a widow and jobless, I was struggling to educate my child since I lack adequate finances to support my kids education. With the remaining amount I bought 5 goats to start livestock rearing which is my reliable source of income for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard my phone ringing and I was hesitant to check what the message was all about. I thought they were the normal Safaricom messages but to my surprise, it was an Mpesa message. I had received my first transfer of KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I could not contain the joy that I felt that afternoon. I thanked them for coming to help us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the transfer has enabled me to build a new iron roofed house to live with my family. My previous house was very small and could not accommodate my children. Through the financial support, I purchased building materials such iron sheets, building poles and nails to facilitate this. Had I not received this financial support, it would have taken me years to achieve this. I now have decent house to live with my family, courtesy of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My biggest desire was to upgrade to a better house because the one I am currently sheltering in is not spacious enough. I have to squeeze my things to get some space. My children are forced to seek shelter from the neighbours at their young age. When I received my first transfer, I spent a bigger portion of it on buying building materials which include iron sheets, building poles and nails to construct a decent and spacious house. In addition to this, I also purchased a new bed and a mattress. I was sleeping on old mats and using a traditional bed which was not comfortable. I am now sleeping comfortably having replaced them with my new beddings.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means educating my son. My husband died long ago when my children were still young and left me the responsibility of raising 5 children single handedly. Due to the nature of my income, I was not able to see them through secondary education. However, I consider my last born lucky because this program has come at a time when he needs fees to continue with school. To achieve my dream, I will purchase goats that will continue to finance his education in the long term.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. I do not take for granted waking up healthy and I always thank God for that.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is my biggest hardship. This is because I lack a reliable source of income. Besides subsistence farming, I burn charcoal for a living. This earns me around 2000 shillings a month, an amount that cannot meet my needs. It is normal for me to go hungry for even two days. As if this is not enough, I do not have good beddings.
