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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 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 clear school fees for my son in high school and I am glad since he has not been sent back home since then. Due to this, I have had enough time to look for the remaining balance for the one in college. Also, my house is always clean and it usually take me a shorter time dusting it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in all aspects of operation 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 the workers who were helping me in cementing my house. I spent the remaining amount to pay school fees foe my two sons in school. I settled on this so that they would be allowed to sit for their end if year examinations.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($532 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have cemented the floor of my house. We used to live on a dusty floor and this was exposing us to many respiratory-related diseases which is very costly to cure. Living on a dusty floor was making me smear every weekend to reduce the dust and this was taking much of the time that I could have used on my farm. I depend on casual jobs and farming to earn an income. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and cannot gather for all the basic needs including saving to cement the house. Currently, we live in a dusty free house and we are so happy. I have much time to work on my farm unlike before where I could spend much time on smearing the flour. My children are very healthy because they are no longer being exposed to dust. I am so much happy because our living standard has changed to be better.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received my first transfer. I remember it was very early in the morning when I was checking my phone as usual, little did I know that I GiveDirectly has sent me 55000 KES. Immediately after checking the message I called my spouse who was not at home at that time and he was so happy too, My children also felt so happy because we have never received such amount of money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on cementing the floor of my house. we used to live in a house which was so dusty. This was making my children fall sick due to the exposure to dust. I am so happy because we are free from dust.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my biggest and constant burden of paying school fees will be eased.I have been wondering where I am going to raise money before the year ends to offset arrears both in secondary school and the University and when I heard about the transfers I was very relieved.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Early every morning,I feed my cows before proceeding to the farm.While there,there is always some work to be done;be it planting,weeding or harvesting.Working in the farm gives me so much joy because for so many years,this is what has fed and provided for my children all their needs.By afternoon,I return home having fully completed what I had set to do for the day.This is then the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have two children in secondary school and one in the University.Due to the fact that we have no guaranteed source of income,it has always been a constant burden to raise their fees.My biggest worry right now is that they will soon be sent home to collect fees for this term and I have not been able to raise any.Aside from that,there are also various needs that my family requires and since I fully depend on farming I have not been able to meet them.The rains have failed this year hence we have not had a sustainable harvest.This is the biggest hardship I have faced
