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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have had a long-standing aspiration to build a house for rental purposes on my piece of land in Mombasa town. However, due to my current financial instability, I was forced to sell parts of the land to support my children's education. Bearing my primary goal in mind, I aim to regain stability and work towards realizing my vision of constructing the rental house, although it’s going to be a smaller one, given the reduced space. I believe that owning the property will establish a stable source of income that will be essential in securing a better future for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
One of my sons has been facing persistent challenges at school due to an outstanding tuition debt of $15 from the previous academic term. He faced the constant risk of being sent home to collect the fees. So, I settled the deficit, leaving behind the ongoing term debt. Unfortunately, I have been unable to pay for the current term's fees, resulting in him being sent home repeatedly. Also, the financial strain has been overwhelming, compounded by the rising cost of living. While I make a modest income from selling chewing sticks and natural herbs, the returns are insufficient to meet the growing expenses, especially food. I had to allocate the remaining $19 toward purchasing food.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES
access_time 8 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am hopeful that this year, we shall experience adequate rainfall to realize a good harvest. It will allow me to divert my focus to livestock keeping. All along, I have been longing to raise goats and sheep. I love them because of their benefits. There is always a viable market for goat milk and other products, such as cheese for one who raises them on large scale. In addition, both goats and sheep have ready markets, especially during the festive seasons. Through that, I am optimistic that by raising goats, I shall have an alternative income source when I have an emergency. I also have a goal of building a new house. The current one is so old and relatively small to serve my family better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
To meet the educational and nutritional needs of my family, I always have to sell herbal medicine. I do have any alternative business to engage in for financial benefits. The proceeds of this business are always insufficient to cater to all our needs. However, with the monthly transfers, our situation is always salvaged. Therefore whenever I receive the transfers, I prioritize the two mentioned needs. For the past three transfers preceding the recent one, I spent $20 monthly to offset fee arrears for my daughter in High School. The remaining $15 helped me to obtain food for the family. However, with the last transfer, I used it on fee payment since schools were opening at the same time.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time 12 months ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving unconditional money to the neediest communities is Give Directly’s greatest work. With this cash, people in my village can access better medical care, children stay in school, and parents provide food for their families. However, I feel the impact would be greater, especially for individuals wishing to engage in development initiatives, if the monthly amount would be higher than $30. Personally, it would expedite the implementation of the rental house construction plan I have had over the last 23 years. In my perspective, relying on the current monthly transfer amount would stall the construction process since it is hard to save enough money from it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the cash transfer I was in Mombasa. My daughter in form two (back at the village) had a pending school fee balance of $118. The balance had accrued since the year began. She would constantly be sent home to fetch the balance and would stay home for two days before going back to school. So, I channeled $20 from the recent cash transfer towards her school to slice off the amount. My priority was to reduce this balance so that the administration would allow her to continue her studies in good faith as I raised the rest through my herbs business. I sell chewing sticks and herbs to provide for my wife and four children, three of whom are in primary school and one in high school. The practice earns me between $5 and $20 per day. On worst occasions, the generated amount barely provides all three meals per day for my family, and they are left surviving on just one. This is why I sent the remaining amount home to help acquire enough food and buy me time to look for more. As the family’s breadwinner, I could never be more grateful to Give Directly for the relief brought by the cash transfers. At least, it supplements the little I make and supports my family on a greater level than before.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
After a futile day of selling my reviving herbs, I was exhausted and sleeping on my bed at home. My mind was confused with in-depth ideas of how I would fund-raise to cover my children's school expenditures as frequently as possible. I awoke when I heard my phone ring and went to check it. When I realized I had agreed to my most memorable trade, I was astounded. I called my significant other to share the wonderful news, and my heart burst with joy as I did so.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I place a great priority on education since I'm a good mom. My greatest accomplishment in life has been making sure I support my kids by giving them access to better education. When I wasn't able to come up with any cash to cover my son's school expenses, I became really anxious. I appreciated how the unconditional transfer aided my son finish his studies and had a substantial impact on his life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used my entire first transfer to cover my son's form three tuition fees. I own a small business in Mombasa town and sell therapeutic herbs. Due to the anxiety brought on by the election, I have been unable to conduct any business for the past two months. My ability to support my family in the village was impacted by this. Because of his school fee debt, my eldest son, who is in secondary school, was dismissed. He was compelled to stay at home for more than two weeks because I didn't have any money. His learning was impacted, and he had a lot of work to catch up on. He was re-admitted to school after making up the unpaid fees, and he is now happy to continue his studies.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Empowerment. My objective is to use this money to empower my children. I have 4 children who are still in school and one who finished a tailoring course a month ago. I hawk traditional medicine and toothbrushes to earn a living. This job earns me 6,000 KES a month. I entirely spend this income on food, leaving me with nothing to attend to the other needs of the family. With 20,000 KES, I am planning to open a tailoring business for the eldest child. I am hopeful the business will make her independent hence easing the burden of responsibility on me. For the rest of the children, I will buy 10 goats at a total cost of 25,000 KES. Goat production will help me raise their school fees because when financially pressed, I will be selling a few animals to settle the tuition fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a son who almost lost his ability to walk due to a mysterious sickness. He really suffered in his formative years. Miraculously, my son recovered and continued with his education. He even joined the high school a year ago. His health is more of a blessing. I just see God's favor when I look at my child.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Compared to my income of 6,000 KES a month from hawking traditional medicine, the food intake in my family of 5 children is very high. Maintaining the food ration is a real struggle. Normally, we only take two meals a day which is disadvantageous for those attending school.