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
53010 KES ($386 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am passionate about education. To see my son through school is my key goal for this year and the future. Because I believe that education is the key to success, I feel that making educational investments in my children will make it simpler for them to succeed in the future. I do not want them to experience what I did because of my illiteracy.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am appreciative of GiveDirectly and the kindness shown to us in the form of donations. Because of the money, I have made significant improvements in my day-to-day life compared to previously. I had never heard of such a group, but I am pleased I did since it is assisting us in escaping poverty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, I immediately paid off my son's Form Four debt that had accumulated over his academic career. He completed his schooling, but because he owed a ton of unpaid school fees, his academic credentials were not given to him. I thus decided it would be prudent to provide the school with the required $400. My son is happy right now since he has all of his academic papers but has not begun college yet. After that, I decided to invest $70 in two goats as a future investment. I decided to spend the remaining money on some meals for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($433 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was attending an evening home fellowship that day at around 3 o'clock when I got a message on my phone. Despite not being able to read or write, because I am an entrepreneur, I do have some experience deciphering M-pesa texts. I knew that I had received the initial $550. When I confirmed that I had also received the money, I was overwhelmed with delight. One could see the enthusiasm on my face. I wanted to squeal with joy, but I restrained myself and refrained from telling anyone.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The main difference I can identify with GiveDirectly is that I was able to do a lot of things through the transfer. Due to my lack of resources, I had assumed they were impractical. I was able to enroll my daughter in secondary school, which was something I had not anticipated being possible given my reliance on casual work. Also, I was able to revive my grocery store. This is good for my family because I now have a source of income that will help me support them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I first opted to settle a school fee balance of $80 for my secondary school child so that he could be retained in school for his end-term examinations. Thereafter, I used $200 to do the shopping for my daughter who was joining form one. Having managed to do the two vital and demanding issues, I decided to revive my grocery business which had collapsed due to a lack of money to sustain it. I used $100 to restock it. Currently, I am happy that the business is flourishing and this could not be possible if it were not for the help from GiveDirectly. For the remaining amount, I bought some food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My business hasn't been doing great lately because of over dependence on it. I have so many responsibilities and I'm just alone. When I get this money I would like to revive my business of selling vegetables that is currently on the verge of collapsing. At times like this I have been depending on construction jobs to be able to make ends meet but my age doesn't allow me anymore. I think$300 would be a good injection to bring it back to life. I would like to get it to a level where I can take the products round different markets following market days to be able to increase sales volume and improve my revenues.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was very happy three months ago when I made my first breakthrough harvesting and selling vegetables right from my farm. I joined plan international at the beginning of the year to acquire skills in agribusiness. It was the type of project that trains you then you implement on your own. When I was done with my trainings, I decided to rent pieces of farm land and grow vegetables. Through this I was able to realize at least 150% profit and I managed to buy iron sheets and built a house. I was happy when I pulled this off
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Most of our challenges are connected to this prolonged drought that has been in existence for almost two years causing a lot of food security issues. Personally I have four children; two are in high school paying school fees of $60 while the other two in primary school pays $15 per academic term. My husband has always been in the habit of running away from responsibilities and so he doesn't help at all. I'm single handedly running my businesses and paying all the bills plus feeding my children. He recently decided to go live with his brother in the next village leaving us here to fend for ourselves just so that no one reminds him of his responsibilities. I normally sell vegetables at Matanomanne market in the evening, but I do take time in the day to do other things that also earn me extra cash like casual jobs in a construction sites.
