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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at my small stall selling second-hand clothes when my phone buzzed. Most of my customers pay me through M-Pesa, so I always check my messages quickly. When I looked at my phone, I was surprised to see a message saying I had received $181 from GiveDirectly. At first, I could not believe it; it felt like a dream. My first thought was how this money could help me pay the school fees for my three children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Last term, my three children in elementary school ended with arrears of $65 each, and honestly, I was overwhelmed by the thought of handling that alongside the upcoming term's fees. As a businesswoman, I relied solely on my second-hand clothing business to meet all our family's needs, including school fees, and I knew I would not manage to raise that amount. However, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I lifted that heavy weight off my shoulders and reduced their arrears to $15 each. This support also boosted my business, increasing my sales significantly, which allowed me to clear the outstanding fees, including those for this term. Thank you, GiveDirectly; if it were not for your help, I honestly don’t know what I would have done.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I prioritized my children’s school fees because I have three children in elementary school at a private institution. I paid their school fee arrears of $40 each, reducing their debt to $15 each, as I knew that carrying the entire balance into the next term would make it hard for me to pay. As a businesswoman and a single mom, I buy and sell second-hand clothes to support my family of four, which is my main source of income. I spent the remaining $61 to add to my stock, which helped me improve my sales. I used to earn about $30 every market day, but now I make up to $50, thanks to GiveDirectly. Through my business, I have been able to pay my children’s school fees and address our daily needs.
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
As a family of four, we currently reside in a cramped single-room house which limits privacy and space for visitors. I have long wished to expand and improve our living conditions, but financial constraints have held me back. All the profits from my daily clothes business are solely spent on feeding the family, leaving nothing for savings. When I receive my transfers, I plan on spending $500 on renovating our house, aiming to create a more comfortable living space. Another $300 will be invested in expanding my clothes business, especially with the peak season approaching, anticipating higher profits. The remaining transfers will be dedicated to covering school fees for my daughter, who will start junior secondary school next year. I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for making it possible for my dreams to finally become reality.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a family of four relying partly on farming, I can say it has been quite challenging in recent years. Climate changes have significantly impacted our farm; we have faced floods and droughts intermittently. However, I am currently feeling optimistic seeing my maize farm thriving, and I am hopeful for a bountiful harvest in September 2024. In previous years, after deductions from Kenya Seed Company, I could earn around $220. This year, I am hopeful that our income will be greater than before.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising school fees for my three children is really tough for me right now. As the breadwinner, I am doing it all alone through farming and running a small business. It is a constant struggle to come up with the $500 needed each year. There are times when they have been sent home from school because I could not afford it, and it breaks my heart to see them miss out on their classes. On top of that, putting food on the table is another daily challenge. I am grateful that despite everything, my kids have never slept hungry. It is a constant balance between their education and meeting our basic needs.
