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 am supposed to join high school in May. My mother, who is the sole breadwinner of the family, through her job as a housekeeper, ensures that she covers the family's needs. This also includes paying school fees for my 6 siblings and I. To help her out, I decided to start livestock farming using the funds that I am getting from give directly. My goal is to own six goats to make this project successful. So, when I got the transfer, I added it to the savings I had to purchase a goat to add to the one that I had bought earlier this year.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly has done very well in supporting the people in my community and I through cash donations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a class 8 pupil. The day I received the funds from give directly, I had already been at home for a week after I was sent home due to school fee arrears of ksh1670. Since my parents could not afford to settle it, I used the money to clear the arrears and the remaining 2530 I added it to the food budget. Now, I can study comfortably without the fear of not being able to raise my school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just gotten home from school and saw that I had received the money. I was so happy I cannot express my joy.
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 can start saving for my future. I have also wanted to start a business of my own and with this source of income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always wanted to start a business but due to financial difficulties, I have not been able to. I decided to save some money that is KES.500 from this transfer to help in that goal. I was able to buy food worth KES.600.This would help in providing for my family. I am grateful for the support to Give directly is giving me to provide for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am still a student. My father does not work, therefore, we have to depend on mum who is a househelp in Mombasa. Most of the time when she sends money, it is only enough to buy food and pay part of my school fees.
With this financial aid, I intend to pay my own fees that is 1,500KES per term and save the rest. With the saved amount, I trust to start a retail shop immediately after high school, which is a year away.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When some officers visited us a while back from Give Directly, they informed us about this project and these news kicked my hope alive. My dream of at least completing high school seems to be taking shape and I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My brother and I get sent home for school fees arrears, I lost count.
I really cannot wait for these transfers to start coming so that we can lift that burden off our parent's shoulders. I am very sure they will sigh in relief.
