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 ($525 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I was able to pay school fees and cleared fee arrears for my children. Due to this, they were able to study without any interruptions and I have also been able to pay their school fees consistently. Practicing timely cultivation led to increased yields that I believe that it will last us till next harvesting season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by promoting so many people in our community and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent some amount to pay school for my daughter in high school and my son who is in college. Also, I bought a heifer as an added asset to my family. When it reproduces, I will be able to sell the offsprings and use the money to pay school fees for my children. In addition to this, I spent some amount on farming. I hired a tractor for land preparation purposes and bought some maize hybrid seeds to plant. On the remaining amount, I bought some decent clothes for my family and enough food to last us for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My life changed completely as I am no longer stressed about my child school fees anymore. I was previously distressed about how I would clear her fees to allow her to complete her secondary education. I feel relieved because I also have another girl in class eight and will soon be joining secondary school.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy when the money was sent in the morning. It caught me by surprise because we were never told the dates that it would be sent. I remember telling my wife about the good news that I had received and she was so excited. We could not stop going over the plan of how best we should spend the money again and again. We went to bed later after about an hour of planning and replanning. We were so happy.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on building a house. I had a very small kitchen house that doubled up as a cooking space and a sleeping place for my children. It was a small grass-thatched hut. I later constructed another larger room that is made of an iron roof. In addition to that, I also paid school fees for my child who is in secondary school. My girl is in her final year and I am glad this payment boosted her academics. I finally bought a cow that will later multiply and help me to realize my other goals.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My first born son completed secondary education last year. His desire has been to study Catering and Hospitality but has stayed at home due to lack of finances. Receiving this money means a breakthrough and a beginning of a journey towards his dream career, thanks to GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My wife and I spend most of the day working in our farm. Our activities involve planting and cultivating beans. I would spend some time feeding livestock after which I find time to rest in the afternoon. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine losing employment thanks to retirement and with a young family to take care of. Life has been hard post retirement. A catering job I had been doing for over 30 years came to a halt four years ago. All my children are still pursuing education at different levels from college down to primary school. Since my wife is unemployed, we've had to depend on farming which also is an unsustainable source of income due to perennial droughts. Matter of fact, my eldest son completed secondary education and has stagnated at home for lack of money and my worry is that his siblings would drop out of school too. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
