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 ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My spouse used to work as a mason and he fell sick a few days before receiving our second transfer. With part of our second transfer, he was able to start his treatment and he was admitted after a few days. This has disoriented everything in my life including the goals that we had as a family and because of this, I do not have any additional goals since I am working towards paying the hospital bill so that his treatment will not be stopped.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Officers from GiveDirectly were well mannered, treated everyone equally, and made sure that everyone understood everything said during the training. This, I can gladly say that they did very well, and the fact that they gave out unconditional financial aid made them stand out from other organizations giving out aid to people.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent KES 30000 to pay for my spouse's medication, KES 2500 on food, and used the remaining 20000 to pay school fees for my son in college so that he would be allowed to sit for his end-of-semester examinations. My spouse became sick a few days before receiving our second transfer and I am glad that the transfer came in handy as it enabled him to seek medical attention on time. Even though he is still admitted, I am happy that GiveDirectly enabled us to seek treatments early before the situation could get worse.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 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 in the farm cultivating my crops when I heard an incoming message. Upon checking it's contents, I became so happy and immediately began praying asking God to bless GiveDirectly at large and their children. After whispering a short prayer, I called my spouse and informed him about the good news and he was equally so happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Paying school fees for my children has been an uphill task to me. I depend on subsistence farming and I majorly plant onions that I can later sell to people at a retail price. The money I usually get is not enough to pay school fees for my children and still set aside some to use in meeting our daily basic needs. Due to this, I am at times forced to take loans and my children are constantly out of school due to fees arrears. Despite all this challanges, my son was able to complete his secondary school education, passed well and my biggest worry was how I would be able to clear his fee arrears for him to be given his certificate that was needed when joining a tertiary institution. My transfers came in handy as it enabled me to not only pay for his college fee but to also clear his fee arrears. This, I can testify that is the biggest difference in my daily life as I now live a stress free life knowing that he is in school continuing well with his studies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My son sat for his National examinations this year and he was preparing to join a tertiary institution that he had been called to after performing exceptionally. One of the things that were needed during admission was his secondary school certificate and we had not been given as we still owed the school some money. When I received my transfer, I spent KES 30500 to clear his fee arrears and paid for his first semester school fees which was KES 19100. I gave him the remaining KES 5000 to use in buying some necessities that were needed at school.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reduced worry level on where to get school fees for my son, who recently completed his high school studies and is looking forward to joining one of the universities this year. I have been wondering where to get $500 for his first semester. My spouse was planning on scheduling a date for fundraising on the same, but I thank Give Directly for coming in handy. I also intend to build a better kitchen for my family using $300 of my transfer, since the old one we currently operate in is in a deplorable condition; it leaks in water during rainy seasons. I will then use the remaining $200 to clear school fees for my other 3 children in primary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend my day doing household chores after my spouse has left home for work and my children have gone to school. Evening reunion with my family after they arrive home is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My spouse who engages in house construction to earn a living is the sole breadwinner of our family. However, getting such work in this area is a big challenge since people rarely construct houses due to lack of finances. We have 5 school-going children, three in primary school, one in secondary school and one who will be joining college soon. Supporting all their needs, and moreso education is the biggest hardship we face.
