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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My friend came visiting very early in the morning, I thought maybe he had a problem, but I ruled this out because he was looking all happy, he then broke the good news that he had received money from GiveDirectly, I immediately rushed to the bedroom to switch on my phone, this is because I normally switch off my phone at night before retiring to bed, upon checking I realized that I had received the money the previous night at 11:34 pm, I was very happy and excited, I had booked a dairy cow from my friend, therefore I knew that I will be able to pay for it successfully.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I will be able to sit for my exams at a technical institute after a long wait, this is because I never had enough money to register for the exams due to financial constraints, I am happy because I am hopeful that once I get the certificate I will be able to secure a stable job, I am grateful for the support that I got from GiveDirectly because it brought so much joy and happiness in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In our culture, we value cows so much, it is a sign of a home that is wealthy thus earn respect from the fellow village mates, I wanted to buy a cow with my transfer so that I would be able to show my children that GiveDirectly Ince visited our village, I believe in creating good memories, therefore, I bought a dairy cow worth KES 17,000, I also named the cow GiveDirectly, so that I could keep the memories alive, I then used KES 13,000 in registering for an exam at a nearby technical institute, lastly I bought clothes and foodstuffs with the remaining amount. I am relieved that I will be able to sit for my exams right on time.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean that my wife will be able to go back to school. She completed high school in July this year and has the desire to do a secretarial course. I plan to enroll her to do the course at a fee of KES 15000 at an institute near here. Doing so will empower her and she will be able to look for opportunities in that line and turn support me. I plan to use KES 15000 to pay for the national exam that I will be doing in December and invest the remaining amount in buying sheep that will earn me some profit in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had stayed at home for over 3 years after completing my secondary school and had no one to pay for the college education that I desired to do. Getting someone to hold my hand and pay part of the fees has what has brought me joy because I know I will be able to achieve my dreams.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the major challenge that I am facing. I completed secondary school years ago but I did not continue with my education until recently when I was sponsored partly by my area MP for a diploma course. Paying for my school fees and providing for my family with the casual jobs that I do have proven difficult because the money that I earn daily, KES 200 on my best day, is not sufficient to meet all of the above needs.
