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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I feel privileged being among the people who received the transfers. The money came in handy and helped to take care of the pressing issues. I have actually upgraded to another level in life. Having good shelter and paying school fees for my children on time is a big relief.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I thank GiveDirectly for coming to our village. Before then, we would only depend on farming which sometimes was unpredictable due to weather changes. This forced us to look for casual jobs to meet our daily needs. The situation made it hard to pay school fees for our children on time and save with the intention of buying livestock not forgetting better shelter. Up to this point, I do not see anything that went wrong. The officers were friendly and transparent which made the process run smoothly.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
The money which I received from Give Directly, I had some big plans for it. My first on the list was to buy our own dairy cow so that we would no longer ask people to give us there's to rear in order to get milk. Secondly was to buy building materials for constructing a house for my children which I did and now my children are having a good place to sleep and to study.
Lastly, I spend the remaining portion on buying ourselves some clothes and food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now happier than before. This is because I was able to clear paying school fees arrears for my children who had been sent back home without much struggle. As a result of this, I have been able to save some money from my business. I am intending to use these savings to pay school fees for my children next year. This will enable them to have enough time for their studies and this will enable them to improve on their performance.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 5 am after waking up when I realized that GiveDirectly had finally sent me the promised money. I became so happy at that moment since I knew that my life would never remain the same.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfers, I bought some building materials majorly iron sheets, timber, nails and also paid a mason for the work of building a spacious house for my family. I settled on this since the one we were living in was small and grass-thatched. Due to my growing family, this house could not accommodate us comfortably anymore. Due to this, my children used to seek shelter from their grandmother's place. Also, I paid school fees arrears for my children who had been sent back home. I am now glad since they were able to sit for their end year examinations. I spent the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family. I bought two maize flour and decent clothes and shoes.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For a long time I have been living in a small hut that can hardly accommodate me and my grown up children, let alone host guests. Receiving this money means a transformation of my housing standards from a small grassy thatched hut to a spacious corrugated iron roofed house. I could live with more dignity when I fulfill this desire.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a holiday season, my children have closed school for a one month break. During the day, I no longer have to bear with much work in my farm because they give me a helping hand thus making my duties lighter. They give me so much relieve which makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a small business woman selling maize in a nearby town during its market days every Monday. This is my only source of income that provides for our household needs and my children's education. At the moment one of them is in secondary school while two more are in primary. The latter two would soon transition to secondary and will demand more money for their education. There is hardly enough profits to make from my small business. My greatest fear is to be overwhelmed by their education costs from which I may have to sell my assets to facilitate. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
