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 ($476 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have so many goals which I have been able to set and fulfill thanks to Give directly sending me these transfers. The first of my many goals was financial stability which I was able to achieve through starting my own business which is a general shop where everyone can get their basic items. I was also able to achieve a goal about owning some livestock especially cows, which I was able to buy through these funds. Another goal is to live comfortably in my home and I have been able to shop for mattresses and even beddings which was not possible before. I am so grateful to Give directly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
My goals would not have been attainable without the help of Give directly and I am thankful for that. This is because I would not have been financially stable to open my general shop and even to own livestock. I don't think Givedirctly is doing anything poorly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With this last transfer, I was able to start my own business as I was thinking of our future and a way to support ourselves once this program is over. I decided that a general shop selling basic commodities like sugar, bread, and stationary. This businesscosted me KES.20000. I was also able to spend KES.2000 on my two children's school fees. Who each had a balance of KES.1000. I was also able to buy food and save some. emergencies.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfer notification at around 9 am in the morning. I was busy with my house chores when I heard a message alert on my phone. My husband checked the contents of the message and the broad smile on his face showed it was some good news. He broke the news at last that GiveDirectly had sent the first transfer. I could not hold back the joy that I felt since the money would totally transform my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life daily life is that the transfer enabled me to clear a loan that I had not been able to pay on time. I had received several warnings from the microfinance and I feared my belongings would be seized for failure to pay on time. I usually do menial jobs and I had taken the loan with the hope that I would be able to pay on time. However, it was difficult to get such jobs and the little earnings from my husband's casual jobs catered for the basic needs only. I am now free and at peace having been relieved of this burden. I also own goats which are assets to me. I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number. I believe through them I will be able to educate my children to the highest levels.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 10500 of the first transfer on buying goats. I am currently keeping them and my expectation is that they will reproduce and increase in number. I believe raising school fees for my children will not be a problem since I can readily rely on these goats. This will ensure that their studies are not interrupted because of lack of fees. I also spent KES 13000 on buying a new bed and a mattress. I did this to replace the old ones which are worn out and I was not able to buy new ones at my own cost. The transfer also enabled me to clear a loan that had accrued for months. I paid KES 10000 and cleared the loan. I spent the remaining amount on paying school fees for my children and also did some shopping for my household. I bought a 90KG sack of maize and beans that can take us a month. This has ensured that food is available for my family despite a failed harvest due to inadequate rains in our region.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am living with my husband in my father's in-law ancestral land. My husband has 3 brothers whom were shared a 2 acre-piece of farming land. Hence, everyone got half of an acre. So, whenever I farm in my subdivision, I get almost one 90 kilogram bag of maize which is not sufficient for my family of six. The maize lasts us for atmost two months after which I am obligated to consume sold maize for the better part of the year. So, receiving this money means food security to my family. I will be able to buy 4 acres of land which will produce enough maize to carry me through the whole year for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband produces and sells charcoal in the forests. He usually comes home after some days and atimes after some weeks. He usually comes back home in the evening hours. This is the happiest time of my day because whenever he comes, I get the rare chance to talk to him and at least feel the sense of being not just a mother to my children but also a wife to my husband. When I prepare supper in the evening, and take it with my husband amidst my lovely children, that's the greatest feeling I usually feel. Evening is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was born in a big family of 16. My father had 2 wives. A plumber in Mombasa, he was then sacked from job when I was in class six. Life worsened as my jobless father could not meet our needs. We went to school hungry, we were sent out of school due to huge fee balances and this pushed me to drop out midway. I was depressed and at some moment, I even wanted to commit suicide. At early age, I resorted to work as a house maid in Kilifi. This is where I met my current husband who happens to be the father of my children. It was not the right time to indulge in sexual affairs which led to marriage but I had no otherwise because I wanted someone to help me pay bills. Not getting the opportunity to continue with my studies is the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life.
