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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($433 USD)
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?
I would like open a smart thrift shop in Ganze town. Nothing fancy, just nice, reasonably priced, high-quality clothing. I believe I would excel at this and could use the funds to educate my children and provide them with a better future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I had lived in a three-bedroom house with the kids for seven years, and as they grew, expanding the house became necessary. When there are no other options, GiveDIrectly fills the void. They truly are what has kept this family afloat.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
GiveDirectly transfers allowed me to expand my three-bedroom house to a four-bedroom house. My husband works as a carpenter in Mombasa, only returning home every three months, while I till the 3.5-acre farm to harvest the cereals we eat as a family. Education for our children is a challenge with the income we both bring in. As a result, the funds were also used to purchase uniforms for the children as well as pay their tuition. This year, I had a Class 8 candidate, one in Grade 5, and the youngest in Grade 3, all at Tsangoloweni Primary School, and all of them were paid $13 per term for their studies. Meeting our living expenses would be impossible without GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($478 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt very happy .It was around 10 Am and we were at my brother in law home mourning my nephew.The situation didn't allow me to showcase my happiness though I could feel my heart beat was very fast and wished the situation was different.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received this transfers is that health-wise I am very ok.I used to wake up with back pains everyday but with a new mattress now my back is ok and I can go on with my work comfortably.I also didn't have seats in my house making it hard to entertain my peers but now with GD transfers my house Is open and my self esteem raised since the seats are beautiful and comfortable for everyone.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer to buy mattress worth 5000 KES,seats worth KES 3500 and saved the rest for building a house.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been longing to start a business for the past 5 years now but due to the lack of capital I could not. The burden of responsibilities in my family with the unreliable casual labour at the quarry can not guarantee my four children all the basic needs. Upon receiving this transfer I would start a new business (a boutique) at the trading centre where I believe it would be a source of income for my family. I will spend 40000 KES on this business.
I will also set aside 15000 KES for my daughter who will be joining secondary school next year.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being in good health and seeing my children going to school with out being sent home for school fees makes me feel great. I always work hard despite the challenges we are facing to make sure they attend school. Last term my daughter who is in class seven posted good results and this excited me so much.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to the drought we are experiencing in our area, water is a big challenge as we only depend on water pans which have are now drying up. The water in those sources are contaminated and not safe for human consumption. We normally walk for about 5 kilometres to the water sources. Lack of food is also another challenge which I am facing because I only depend on the casual job at the quarry which I only get peanuts which is always not enough to cater for my family basic needs such as food and school fees.
