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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($429 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?
My family of three lives in a single house that serves as both a kitchen and a living room. Despite the fact that it is large enough, the fumes from the cooking area and the soot from the smoke landing on our clothes have been a nuisance. I currently own a grocery store where I sell vegetables and fruits, and I have always saved a portion of my earnings in an informal savings group that we started in the village. Every month, I save at least $7, which I intend to use to purchase construction materials for a new kitchen in the coming year.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did an excellent job in our village, which everyone appreciated. From the first meetings, where we were given detailed information about the project, to the final transfer, everything was made clear to us. We relished the freedom to spend our money in ways we never imagined possible after receiving such a large sum. I was able to pay off all of my school debts, purchase a dairy cow, and enroll my firstborn child in school. I am grateful for the help and hope that other villages will have the same opportunity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After my husband died two years ago while I was still in school, it became extremely difficult because I could not raise enough money for both my school fees and other household obligations. It was a huge relief when GiveDirectly came through with a free cash transfer that allowed me to continue my studies. After receiving the second transfer, I spent $400 on a lactating dairy cow that produced enough milk for my three-person family. Even though the cow had already weaned when I bought it, it provided us with at least a liter of milk every day, and I no longer needed to buy milk from the neighbors. I used to have a bullock, which I still have along with my cow. I plan to sell it later and use the proceeds for other new projects. I also spent $100 to pay off my school fee arrears and am grateful that I was allowed to sit for my grade 12 exams, the results of which I have yet to receive. In addition, I spent the remaining $28 on groceries for my family of three. I am grateful for the help I received and the changes I have seen in my family since then.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($460 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 5 pm when I was doing my daily chores at home. I heard a message notification on my phone. When I checked it out I could not believe my eyes it was a message confirming that I have received KES 55,000. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. I knew I would be able to pay the school fees. I immediately informed my mother-in-law and my spouse. We all celebrated and planned how to spend the transfer. We went the following day to withdraw and started spending it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is being in a position to my school fees and for my children. This was the big challenge that we were facing. I am still studying and my spouse is the one who pays the school fees. He does small casual jobs and the money that we would get was for basic household needs. I was not able to pay the school fees on time and I would be sent home sometimes. This was demoralizing since we had no other source of income. I would miss some of the lessons and it was affecting my performance. My children too were equally affected. When we received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because this was an opportunity to pay the school fees and for my children. Currently, I am so happy because I have paid all the school fees and I no longer miss any lessons. I hope to perform much better compared to previous years. I am so grateful for the support because were it not GiveDirectly all this could still be a big challenge.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 15,000 on paying my school fees and KES 5,000 on school fees for my children. This was the main challenge that we were facing as a family. My spouse is the one who pays for all this and because he does not have a continuous source of income it was so hard. He does casual jobs and the money that he would get was so small. Currently, we have paid all the school fees and we are studying well without being disturbed. I spent KES 15,000 on purchasing a heifer. I always buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. I will get enough milk when it reproduces in the next few months. I spent KES 15,000 on clothes, food, and household items. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money will come in very handy because my life has been all along full of tragic events even though I am still very young. I was first married off at the age of 16, this was a forced marriage because I wanted to continue my education but my parents did not want me in their house anymore because I was already pregnant. This forced me to move to my husband's place and though he welcomed me his parents were not so comfortable with me. I told my husband that I needed to go back to school and luckily he agreed to pay my school fee. He did not have a job but he struggled to make sure that I get school fees and at the same time have food in the house. It was not easy attending classes because I was pregnant and my fellow teens used to perceive me as a failure and even sometimes bully me. It was so tough for me but I was resilient because I wanted an education. I managed to deliver a baby girl and resumed studies but tragedy struck again, my husband fell sick and was terminally ill. I dropped out of school to take care of him but unfortunately lost him a month ago. These transfers will help me go back to school and complete high school education which I am so passionate about. I will also hopefully acquire two cows to help me invest some of the money.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My life has not been so good in the recent past but I was happy that my parents supported me recently when we were burying my husband despite that they had disowned me when I became pregnant for him.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I recently lost my husband who was a pillar and support in my life, I could not imagine a life without him. I am still trying to come to terms with her death and it is so difficult. I do not know what the future holds for me and my child. I was staring at a shuttered educational dream and a life of hardship and poverty but am grateful to GiveDirectly for the lease of life and am forever indebted.
