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 ($509 USD)
access_time 4 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 from how it was in that, I have rested from doing casual jobs that I used to fully depend on to make ends meet. Also, I now have some assets that I did not have before courtesy of GiveDirectly. It would have taken me a lot of years to achieve this at my own cost. I will always depend on these assets in case of any financial challenges.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, our living standards have improved because of the unconditional cash transfer and we have now made a step ahead in life. There is nothing that GD did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to build a house for my children. I decided on this so that I will always sleep peacefully knowing that my children are safe and sleeps well daily. Also, I spent some amount to buy some seat cushions since I had bought some seats but did not manage to buy the cushions. I spent KES 5000 to pay school fees for my children so that they would not be sent back home. On the remaining amount, I bought some decent clothes for everyone and food to last us for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have paid school fees for my two children in school. I depend on small scale farming at home and sometimes I do casual jobs. The amount of money that I get from this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs and to pay school fees. My children would be sent home to collect school fees and since I had no ready cash they would stay at home, this was affecting their performance. When I received the money I paid all their school fees and they were able to study and remain at school. This led to the improvement of the performance and also enable me to do my daily chores at home without stress like before. I am so much grateful for the support it has given me peace of mind.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money I felt so happy. I remember it was very early in the morning when I heard a message notification from my phone. When I checked it I could not believe my eyes because I have never received such an amount of money before. I knew I would be able to pay the school for my children and meet other basic needs of the family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spend part of my first transfer to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school because this was the main challenge that I had. I also bought four goats, sofa set seats and the rest of the money I used it to buy food and clothes for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been struggling to educate my children since I am unable to work. I was shot during clashes some years ago which left my right leg paralysed. Therefore, receiving this money mean I will be able to educate my children throughout their secondary.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Even though I am unable to work in my farm due to my injured leg, the happiest part of my day is in the morning. Waking up healthy to a new day brightens my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In the year 2008 there was post election violence in Kenya. I was employed as a casual worker (looking after cattle) in a different region far from this place. During my normal routine, we heard people shouting and we rushed to the road to see what was happening only to see police officers shooting randomly. Seeing this, I tried running back but unfortunate one bullet ramped into my right thigh which paralysed it rendering me unable to fend for my family. Since then, I have been using a stick to support my paralysed leg and this has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life.
