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 ($435 USD)
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?
Since I am still in school, I am hoping to be done in the next two years and get myself a job as a teacher and expand my salon business that I am running right now, this way, I will be able to comfortably provide for my two kids and put them though school without a lot of pressure and financial strain.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly was able to reach out to the most vulnerable people in the most remote areas by having field officers visit each household and I personally appreciate this a lot because if phone calls was the only means used to reach out to people, then a lot us could have been left out.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Luckily enough, I received my second transfer immediately after I gave birth, I used around ksh 13000 to settle the hospital bill, paid school fees arrears for my primary school child using ksh 10000 that cleared the fees for the term and bough food and baby stuff with the rest of the money.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received this money while I was at home, and it was very timely because I had visitors so I was very happy that I can make them comfortable for the two days I had them over.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having a loan without any plan to clear it can be very frustrating, receiving calls every time of the day with threats to pay is so stressful, so when I received the transfer, clearing the loan was the first thing I did to save myself from the frustration.
Besides the loan, I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for my school fees so that I can go back to school but here I am now in school with zero arrears and I am also running a small chicken business, that I try to grow it so that my family and I can rely on it going forward.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 30000 to pay my school fees arrears for the semester, managed to clear a loan of KES 5000 which was becoming very stressful for me and I also bought chicken worth KES 10000 and did a little grocery shopping for myself as well.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I separate from my husband 5 years ago due to my inability to conceive. However my predicament did not end there, when I returned home my brothers tried to force me to go back to my husband despite then knowing he no longer wanted me. So I decided to move out and purchased a piece of land away from home because I need peace of mind. So when I get this transfer I will clear the remaining amount I owe the owner amounting to KES 20000. Then the remaining amount I will further my studies in university where I intend to pursue a degree in Education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have looked for treatment for my inability to conceive and got medication. I am now expecting a baby and this has brought joy and happiness into my life since I have regained my dignity as a woman and am motivated to work harder to earn a living for my expected baby.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is dispute between me and my brothers. My brothers are deeply rooted in the culture that says girls should get married and has no right to study. Despite having work hard to purchase my piece of land they have never stopped interfering with my progress. This has disturbed my peace of mind and ability to fend for myself.
