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
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My top priorities include supporting my three children's education and meeting their basic requirements, like food. I would be glad if I could find a steady source of income to pay for their schooling because they still have a ways to go before finishing at least the high school level—two of them are in primary school and one is in secondary school. I currently have no way to raise money because charcoal burning is my only source of revenue.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Due to poverty, the residents in our community did not have any investments at first. Because they lived hand to mouth, they were unable to start any form of business. GiveDirectly empowers us and inspires us to invest at a greater level. People now invest in shops and other enterprises that supply them with their everyday necessities. GiveDirectly performed above and beyond expectations, and I have never encountered a problem with the company.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Food was the priority when I received the second transfer. Since I relied on making and selling charcoals, I could not fully meet my family's needs. Therefore, I bought a 25kg sack of rice for $30 and a bale of maize flour for $24. I also paid $170 school fees for my three secondary school children so they could be allowed to sit for their examinations because they had fee arrears. Having settled the two issues, I opted to use the remaining amount to build a house for my children. I did this because they used to sleep in their uncle's house and I saw it wise for them to have their separate house since they are grown-up. Currently, they are happy having a house where they are comfortable and confident to do their things.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy when I first received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was at home alone and had to call my family members, who were very happy to receive the news as well. I collected the entire amount the following day since I was still aligning the plans I had.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the purchase of a dairy cow that I am hopefully will help a lot in providing milk for my family. I had been buying milk a lot and the presence of a cow has brought back the hope of spending less in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 12000 of my first transfer on paying school fees for my two children, who are now happy to have settled in school without any disturbance from their teachers, who used to send them home. I also bought a dairy cow with KES 2300 that I am hopeful will soon be providing us with enough milk for my family of nine. I s[ent the remaining amount on buying building poles worth KES 3000 in preparation to construct a new house and used the remaining amount on foodstuff for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother of 8 children taking care of them is draining me both financially and emotionally. I used to sell the traditional alcoholic drinks made from coconut in a nearby town and the income was good but unfortunately, the supplies were reduced as a result of the drought which affected the coconut trees from producing the fruits. I had no choice but to move back home to my children. My priority is to first make sure that I educate all of them and secondly I would like to build a small house near mine where they can sleep. My house is only two rooms and sharing a sleeping area with 8 of them, especially the grown ones is not easy I feel they need their privacy. Receiving these transfers will however enable me to fulfill my desires by first sparing 50,000 KES towards their education, secondly, I will use 30,000 KES in constructing a house for them and finally save the remaining balance for food and other basic requirements.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two of my children sat their final primary exams recently. They made me proud of myself for making sure that they finish school. I am also glad that they passed their exams amidst all the challenges they have faced during their time in school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of money is my current challenge. As a single mother of 8 children, it is draining to support my family by providing them with both education and basic needs. I used to sell traditional alcoholic drinks made from coconut fruits but unfortunately, the drought that affected the production of the fruit made me close my business. I had to move back home so I can try the charcoal burning business which is also not as well paying as the one that I used to do. I am worried that my children will not continue with their education due to lack of finances. Being a single parent is frustrating and exhausting at the same time because all of them look up to me.
