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
55000 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My dream, like that of many parents, is to bless my kids with a better life than they currently have. Ensuring they get a good future is my biggest goal. Aside from that, it's my goal to make sure I keep myself healthy enough to live to enjoy my children and grandchildren.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has taught me to know that I can always trust in God to believe. They excel at coming in when you need them and filling the void. Being a widow with five children, I had no other way of providing until GiveDirectly came along. I pray they continue to bless others as much as they have me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
GiveDirectly was kind enough to send me the transfers and let me plan ahead of time. I started by organizing our food situation in the house, making sure I bought enough food to last us a while. I went on to buy a female goat, hoping to benefit from the milk and possible breeding opportunities. School fees were the next priority for the two children I have in school. Three of the five children advanced to class eight before being forced to drop out due to a lack of funds for school fee. I have one in Form 3 at Ngereya Secondary School who needs $300 per month and another in Class 8 at Masemo Primary School who needs $4.25 per month. With the 4 acres that I use to burn charcoal, I have the opportunity to earn some money by selling charcoal sacks in Kilifi Town for $4.5 each. My husband died last year, and I would not have been able to meet any of my obligations if it hadn't been for GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message on my phone in the evening but since I could not comprehend the contents, I called my helper who confirmed to me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I have been anxiously waiting for this money to take my children back to school and I really felt happy and relieved since I was able to clear the fees for them.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Through the transfer, I managed to pay for my children's fees and they are now in school going on with their studies. This has given me ample time to prepare for the next term's fees. I am at peace because paying on time will avoid interruptions in their studies. As a parent, my expectation is to see them excel in their studies and realize their career goals which has been made possible through the transfer. Paying for my children's fees is so far the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent Ksh. 30000 of my first transfer on paying fees for my children who are currently in high school. Their studies were frequently interrupted because I failed to pay for them on time. They were sent home and they stayed for a couple of weeks because I couldn't raise the amount required. I am at peace now seeing my children allowed to continue with their studies. They would have stayed at home for a long time had I not received the transfer. Secondly, I spent Ksh. 12000 and bought three goats which I am currently keeping on my homestead. My expectation is for them to reproduce and increase in number. I will be able to sell the offspring in the near future to raise money for my children's education. I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs which include a bag of maize and vegetables to ensure that my household never lack food.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For the past 20 years, I have been living with Hiv/ aids. In a polygamous family of 3 wives, I am the only person who is a victim of the virus. I had visited a certain clinic for other medication because I was sick but the doctor preferred an Hiv/ Aids test before anything else. Unfortunately, the results were positive. This was the darkest day in my life because I thought it was the end of everything. I asked myself a lot of questions without getting even a single answer, but the doctor assured me it was well and he introduced me to ARVs. This problem has hindered me from doing my casual jobs which used to be my source of income for me. My ambition has been to have a stable source of income and receiving this money means fulfilling it. I am planning to spend 60,000 KES to practice livestock keeping ( indigenous goats). They multiply first and I will be able to sell them 1 at a time at a profit price and the proceeds will enable me to buy basic needs such as food. Also, I will spend the remaining amount to clear fees arrears for my son who is in secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The house I am staying in was collapsing and my financial status could not allow me to renovate it immediately. Last year December my stepson came and told us to move out of the house for a while because he wanted to renovate it for us. This brought a lot of joy to my life because It was something I was not expecting. Currently, we a living a decent and comfortable life without fear.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is the biggest hardship I am currently facing. My health status does not support me from doing any kind of job. My husband is also old and sick and we all depend on our daughter who works as a tailor. Her job earns him 300 KES in a day which is not enough to sustain all her needs and ours. Sometimes I fail to take drugs because my stomach is empty and this makes my body weaker every day.
