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 ($445 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My immediate thought was to use the transfers to pay tuition for my children because they had a debt
and then afterwards I was also looking into preferably buying a bed and a mattress for my children as well because they had been sleeping without beddings for a while.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization came through for me in ways I cannot even explain, for instance through the transfers I got to build a bigger home for my children since they've been sleeping with neighbors almost a year now. Also I finally got to get them beddings and I also go to have a bit of farm animals which makes me very happy and leaves with nothing but praise for the organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As soon as I received the money I went ahead to pay KES 24,000 for one of my children who was in high school and 3,000 for two of my children who are primary school so that they do not end up being kicked out of school. I also used KES 5,500 to buy a bed and a mattress for them. Afterwards I went ahead and bought five goats each for KES 3,000 which cost me KES 15,000.Lastly I used the remainder of the funds for nutrition of my family which cost about KES 5,650.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on my way heading to the farm when my phone rang out loudly, attracting my attention. I quickly checked it out and realized that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. For a moment, I froze without moving a single muscle. Tears of joy rolled down my chubby cheeks as I could not believe that I had received the money. I immediately turned around and headed back home and shared the good news with my husband. His face was filled with a big smile.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Buying the goats is the biggest difference that has happened in my life since I started receiving the transfer. I have faced lots of challenges in raising school fees to educate my children. Buying the goat is an assurance that I will raise school fees for my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Together with my husband, we earn very little from our respective jobs. I earn a living from selling charcoal whereas my husband is a motorcycle rider “boda boda”. Our collective income per day is less than KES 600 which is enough to only buy food for my family (husband and 6 children), and nothing left to take care of the other needs (paying school fees, clothing, and medical attention). When I received my first transfer, I spent KES 12000 to pay an accrued school fee date for my eldest son, who is in his final year of secondary education. I spent KES 10000 buying 10 pieces of iron sheets to build a house for my four sons who have been seeking accommodation from neighbors due to the little size of my house. Finally, I purchased 5 goats at a total price of KES 20000, as a future investment for my young children who will require school fees once they enrolled in school. Once the goats multiply, I will sell some and use the money to pay school fees for my children, ensuring that they are not sent home.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have seven children and we share the same structure. They have to seek shelter from neighbors when their father is around. I will use 30,000 KES to build a three-bedroom house where I can comfortably sleep with my children there. I will clear all school fees arrears for my 1 child at secondary school and 6 in primary school. With the remaining amount, I will buy 10 goats to rear as an investment for the future. I thank God for this golden opportunity in my life at my age.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have always been hearing of GiveDirectly since 2018. We were hoping one day they will come to our village too. We had waited for so long till we had started giving up. Last week I was happy when my village elder summoned us to attend a community meeting conducted by the organization. This brought joy to my life after detecting the officers present in my village.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was diagnosed with ulcers last month and the doctors told me to abstain from any job. This left my husband to be the sole provider for my family of 7 children. I feel pessimistic when my children are sent home for school fees and I can not work to get any revenue to get them to school. My husband's revenue of 4500 KES per month is insufficient to cater for food and pay school fees.
