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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($432 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would like to rent out a place where I can sell all my products every day. Right now I only sell pastries twice a week and produce charcoal twice a week. I am currently looking for a place.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly educating us about where they got the money and settling grapevine that it was from an evil place. I also like when they visit us at our home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother, I separated from my husband a few years ago. We are blessed with four children. All the children are in school, and paying for school fees has been a challenge for me because my former partner does not support me much. I sell pastries at a nearby school where I get $1.50 as the profit in a day and I also produce charcoal and sell it. In a week I can make five sacks and sell them at $5 each. The revenue from the two businesses helps me mostly to buy food and save for my children's school fees. Before the transfers, I had school fees arrears of $175 which I was able to pay with my second transfer. I also used $300 to repair my house, changed my iron sheet, and put on doors. I now have a beautiful house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at work (selling food by the roadside) when I received the funds from give directly. This was the job I settled for after I was forced to close down my shop where I sold clothes and scarves. I ran into huge losses as my needs were more than the earnings that forced me to eat into the business. so, the money I got made me feel very blessed and that God remembered me. I felt light, as all my worries faded, I now had the chance to revive my business and also pay my children's school fee arrears of KES 31000. Something that has been troubling me for days.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Ever since I lost my husband, I have been having financial constraints. This has made it hard for me to sufficiently provide for my children. I was also late with their school fee payments and oftentimes they would be sent home due to school fees arrears. But after receiving funds from give directly, I was able to settle my debts and I also got to revive my clothes selling business. In two weeks, I will make around KES 3000 which is way more than what I make as a street food vendor. Therefore, this money has boosted my finances.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After the demise of my husband, I was left to be the sole breadwinner of the family. I would find myself eating into my clothes selling business which eventually collapsed. I tried looking for other means to provide for them and the one I settled for selling food by the roadside. This did not earn me much and with time I accrued school fee arrears of KES 31,000 for three of my children. Often, they would be sent home due to school fee arrears. So, I would do my best to ensure that I pay in bits but I was still stressed out. However, when I received money from give directly, I recovered my self-control. Without a second thought, I settled the fee arrears, and whatever amount remained I used to revive my clothes selling business.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As it is, I am a widow. I have four children to take care of single-handedly. For all four, I have school arrears that stand at KES 30,000.
The first transfer will help me offset this and leave some for preparation of the one who will join form one in a few months. In a nutshell, Give Directly funds will help me to pay school fees and set aside about KES 10,000 and use it to boost my small food vending business. I am relieved that I don't have to rack my brain so much to find ways of raising the deficit.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am eternally grateful for my children. They are all so determined to study and make a difference in society. They have dreams of becoming doctors, nurses, engineers etcetera. Neither of them has ever given me trouble with disciplinary issues at school. Their grades are good and they work very hard at home to ensure that the house is in order, there is enough firewood and water for our use.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have two children in high school and two in primary school. The fees I pay are too high. Most times if not always, the only money I get from my small food business is not enough to run my house and educate my children. I have been thinking of ways to increase my income. Selling Swahili attire like sandals, wrappers, and beads looks lucrative but I lack the capital to start. I hope this desire comes to life one day because I am determined to educate these children beyond high school.
