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 ($478 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes. Before receiving the transfer, it was difficult for me to pursue my profession of choice, which is teaching. This is because the college I attended had withheld my certificate, due to school fees arrears. This made me sad for a few years, as I could not afford to pay the required amount.
After obtaining the certificate with the help of the funds received from GiveDirectly, my new goal is to be one of the best teachers among those employed by the Teachers Service Commission. I plan to make a positive impact on my students' lives, and I'm very excited about that.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done a wonderful job of empowering many people in my village to provide basic needs for their families. We have been able to build good houses, buy food and pay school fees for our children thanks to the cash donations received.
In my opinion, there isn't anything that GD has not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was pleased to receive this cash transfer since I had many financial needs that needed to be met. I am an ECD teacher, who is employed by the school's Board of Directors. I earn about KES 7,000 a month, which is very little. So I spent KES 19,000 on paying school fees arrears for college so that I could obtain my certificate that had been withheld. I also spent KES 30,000 to complete the construction of my house. It needed the installation of doors and windows, but I had not done that yet because I could not afford to.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($504 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in school when I saw a Mpesa alert message showing that I heard received money from GiveDirectly, I was filled with joy because I knew my plans would be realised, I called my mother in law and shared the good news with her.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am a widow, with children to look after, My husband was a police officer but unfortunately, he died in the line of duty, He was the one paying for my college education, life became unbearable, I became I widow at a very tender age, I could no longer afford to pay for my school fees, I am happy that my life is different now because I managed to clear the fee arrears, and thereafter picked my certificate, My house was uncompleted but with the transfer, I renovated my house, I am grateful for the support that Impacted my life incredibly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a trained teacher, I completed my college education but, I have not managed to collect my certificate because of the fee arrears, This has hindered my chances of getting a job in a good school in the village. The transfer came as a relief, I was able to clear my arrears and managed to pick my school certificate, the remaining part of the transfer, I used in renovating my house.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means living a debt-free life. I completed college last year but I have no certification because of uncleared fee arrears of Ksh 25,000. The institution retained my certificate until the arrears has been settled. I am employed in a nearby school as an untrained teacher earning a meager wage of Ksh 4500 a month. I am a widow with no other sources of income thus depending on the little I get from the school for upkeep. I am now hopeful because I know very soon I will be able to clear the fees using the transfer from Give Directly and live a life free from debt.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is due to the fact that I am employed as untrained teacher in a nearby school. I therefore, spend my entire day in school until late in the evening. Reuniting with my family in the evening as we chat how our day was rejuvenates my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life. I am a widow and raising a family of 4 single handedly is an uphill task. I have two children who are in a nearby Primary school. Catering for both school and other domestic expenses with a meager wage of Ksh 4500 a month is hard. My intention therefore, is to spend Ksh 25,000 of my first transfer to clear all school and other domestic expenses and lead a decent life, free from debt.
