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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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($279 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year, my focus is on dedicating more time to farming, specifically cultivating groundnuts. This endeavor holds the potential to generate significant income, which I aim to channel towards covering my children's school fees. Groundnut farming, known for its favorable returns, aligns with my ambition to secure their education. I intend to fund this agricultural venture using the proceeds from my vegetable business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The assistance we received was timely, allowing us to use the funds as we saw fit during a crucial time of need. Additionally, the informative sessions provided valuable insights, particularly in understanding Mpesa and ensuring the security of our funds. These sensitization meetings have been enlightening, contributing to our knowledge and financial literacy. As of now, I haven't identified any areas that require correction, and we are thankful for the support that came when it was needed the most.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I manage both a retail shop and a vegetable kiosk, supporting my family of seven. With the arrival of my third transfer, our primary focus was on addressing the immediate need of paying school fees for our children in high school and college. Given the unpredictable nature of our work, where the income is often insufficient to cover all our expenses, gathering the entire amount for school fees at once was challenging. Therefore, we directed $350 towards meeting this crucial requirement. In addition to prioritizing education, we spent $100 to purchase maize and other essential food items such as sugar and cooking oil. This decision not only ensured our children's education but also stocked our household with necessary provisions. The relief and happiness I feel about being able to pay a significant portion of the school fees are immense. It spared us from the necessity of selling our assets, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($295 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to acquire a sizable water tank to facilitate the collection of rainwater, providing a crucial resource during dry periods when piped water becomes scarce. Despite having access to piped water, the absence of a storage facility hampers our ability to fully enjoy its benefits, especially during weeks when the supply is intermittent. Additionally, I am keen on reintroducing goat farming to my activities. Having previously sold a few goats to cover school fees, I see this as a long-term investment. I plan to expand my goat farming by purchasing more and engaging in breeding, creating a sustainable source of income to address future financial obligations. This dual initiative reflects my commitment to securing both essential resources like water and a stable financial foundation through strategic investments in agriculture.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly impressively executes its job, ensuring that everyone enrolled receives the same transfer simultaneously, underscoring the organization's commitment to fairness. The discipline exhibited by the officers, along with their readiness to thoroughly explain every detail without fatigue, adds to the positive experience. In comparison to other aids observed, GiveDirectly's approach stands out as the best. The hope is that this commendable work continues in other villages. Personally, I have no reservations about the approach, as I comprehensively understood everything and chose to enroll without any coercion or exchange of incentives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having a daughter in college, I have been really hoping and praying she won't drop out due to a lack of school fees. Despite the challenges, including relying on casual labor, selling livestock, and fruit farming to cover expenses, the second transfer brought immense relief. I used $50 to pay her house rent and $100 for school fees, ensuring she completed the semester without hurdles. Allocating $90 for food, I supported my family of four. To seize an opportunity, I completed the payment for a land purchase from my neighbor and cleared the remaining $60 with this transfer, making me the proud owner of the entire plot where my house is situated. I invested $140 in five chain links to fence the new land and used the remaining funds for transportation and household goods, including toiletries. This support from GiveDirectly has not only secured my daughter's education but has also contributed to significant milestones in land ownership and family well-being, for which I am truly grateful.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($136 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I could not contain my joy when I received that first message from GiveDirectly, confirming the arrival of the first cash transfer. It was a moment of great relief because I had a lot on my plate at that time, and the financial support came just when we needed it most. My child was at home, waiting to collect school fees, and our family of four needed food. I immediately shared the news with my husband, and we excitedly informed our children as well. The next day, I collected the money, and it was a turning point for us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received the first transfer is the payment of school fees for my three children, who had been facing numerous disruptions when sent home to collect their tuition arrears. I am relieved that they have been able to attend school consistently since then. Additionally, the ability to purchase an adequate amount of food has been a tremendous relief, as I no longer worry about what my family will have to eat at the end of the day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the cash transfer, I had a lot that I needed to do. I spent $55 to purchase a sack of maize, which would provide sustenance for my family of four. To transport the food back home from the shopping center, I used $2. The education of my three children was also a priority, so I paid their school fees, which amounted to $130. With the remaining $13, I covered various household needs, including toiletries. In addition to this, I run a small business in our local area, selling retail goods and groceries to our immediate community. This business has been instrumental in supporting our family's daily expenses, and the cash transfer has helped us manage our finances more effectively.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Nothing beats the joy we have about the transfers since it will help us meet the challenges that we are grappling with. We have lived a life of misery and destitution, the life has become so unbearable and stressful from nearly all fronts of life. For us, we feel it is hard to come out of the situation and we have just resigned to fate but we would like our children to have a better life through education since education is an equalizer and it will be a barrier to the vicious cycle of poverty that has been a thorn in the flesh in our lives. It has never been easy, this transfer could not have come at a better time than this, it will be a big enabler to our children in attaining the best education. It is for this reason that we intend to use $ 500 to clear the outstanding arrears for our children and at least have some reprieve from the ever-stressful endeavor of having to look for fees. We will use the rest of the money to purchase foodstuffs and to revive the small business that I had closed down because of lack of capital.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In February our mangoes had ripened and it helped us a great deal. We had sufficient disposal income to purchase food. I would harvest and take them for sale at Koriema market and in return I would fetch at least $5 per day that I used to purchase foodstuffs. My children were extremely happy and they enjoyed smooth life that month. The extra money that we got could be sent to my daughter in college.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We are afflicted with a myriad of insurmountable challenges that have made our lives unbearable. We are people of little means with no sustainable source of income. We have been engaging in casual jobs to at least get wages to purchase foodstuffs amid biting food insecurity. But paying school fees has been an uphill task for us, our daughter, Naomy just returned to school yesterday, she had been send home for school fees and we only manage to raise a paltry $20 out of the needed $240 for this term while another daughter who is in college requires $260. We are between a rock and a hard surface because we have no idea where the money will come from. Things have fallen apart for us, we are ever stressed and have had sleepless nights. We feel like life is unfair to us, day after day it is hope against hope for us.
