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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different after receiving my transfers since I was able to construct a good house and purchasing beddings with my first transfer. Most importantly, I was able to complete fee payments for my children. In addition, I have enough food stock for my family. If I didn't receive my transfer my children could have been out of school by now due to the huge fee balances.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in sending us cash transfers since I had no money for educating my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $400 of my transfer to clear fees arrears for my two children one in form 3 and another one is in college. This is because they have been out of school due to the corona virus pandemic. After the school reopened paid their fees in full so that they may concentrate on their education without being sent home due to lack of school fees. I bought sufficient food with the remaining amount for the family since we are experiencing drought in our area.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember receiving a message early in the morning and when I checked to confirm who the sender was I realised it was from GiveDirectly. I had received my first transfer from them. I felt happy as I began to plan for it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been able to finish my house which I had began constructing. I could not finish with it since materials got depleted in the process. I did not have money to buy the remaining materials to complete the house I had remained with plastering, putting floor and doors and windows. I bought 10 bags of cement and sand to plaster my house. bought two doors and windows and fixed them in my house. Finishing my house is the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had started a project of building a permanent house but I could not finish it due to lack of financial resources. When I received this transfer, I spent it on buying the remaining materials such as cement and sand to finish plastering the house. I also purchased two metallic doors at KES 16500 , windows and fixed them. I also paid for the mason for his job. In addition to this, I also bought two mattresses at KES 12500 to replace the old beddings I have been using. At least we have a nice place to sleep on comfortably as well as my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For the past 15 years, I have lived like a homeless person in a very poor structure. I struggled a lot to build a good house and I was able to achieve my dream last year. However, the house is incomplete and my desire to finish the project. The windows and doors are not yet fixed due to insufficient capital. The walls are not yet plastered and they are susceptible to erosion as they are made of soil. Receiving this money therefore means, accomplishing my mission of owning a permanent house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. I enjoy this time when I am resting after a very busy morning, full of household chores and farm work. This helps to reenergize as I prepare for my evening duties.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is the biggest hardship that I face. This is because we rely on casual jobs for a living. My husband burns charcoal in the jungle where he spends up to a year without coming home. The area is so remote that he cannot access mobile money services to send us cash. This situation has forced my children to drop out of school due to lack of school fees.
