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 ($467 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?
At the time of enrolment, my primary goal was to build a new spacious house. Upon completion of this goal, I developed a new plan of offering best support to my children's education. I have three children; two daughters and 1 son who are currently in primary school. In the past I had been struggling to pay their fees in time but since I began paying their fees on time, they have been able to have ample time in school. A situation that has improved their performance compared to previous years. I am now convinced that when I continue in this trend, they will be able to achieve a lot academically.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving direct cash transfer. This has helped a number of people from my community to improve their living standards. Personally, from 2018, it had been pretty hard for me to pay school fees for my children since the demise of my husband. I thank God that with the GiveDirectky's transfers, all my children have gone back to school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 10,800 from my most recent transfer to meet my medication. I had developed some complications in my kidney, a condition that has made life unbearable for me in the past 4 months. Although I am not fully healed, I am glad I have some improvement. In addition, I spent about KES 31,000 to build a house for my step child who came back last year after being wayy since 2018 after burial of my husband. Seeing him struggling to get a place to sleep in had been bothering and I had purposes in my heart to be of help to thanks. Currently, I am glad he has his own house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9am when I was at the shamba doing some mulching for my crops when received a message in my phone. Upon checking, I realized that I had received the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and overwhelmed thus gained more strength to complete the piece of work I was doing so that I could leave for home to budget for the money with my husband.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that I can attest is the opportunity of taking my last born to school. She had reached the school-going age but due to the lack of money i was unable to take her. I am no longer struggling in finding paraffin for lighting at night but I am now having a solar thus the paraffin burden was gone. This is the good work of GiveDirectly. I am very grateful for this organization and I am praying for it to live longer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing we agreed on was to clear a fee balance of KES 5000.00 to our child who is in a day secondary school, and also did some shopping of KES 3300.00 for our last born and enroll her to school.
After sorting the school issues, we used the remaining amount of money to buy some poles for house construction and also bought a solar lamp to provide some light at night. We kept the poles waiting for the next transfer so that we can construct a new house because the one we have is not in a good condition.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this transfer means good shelter for my family of 4 members. My husband died 3 years ago and he was the only hope to us. The house we were living in by then collapsed immediately after his death and we had to shift to a house that was not in good condition too. I have been living full of fear thinking that it might fall and hurt or end our lives, but due to financial challenges, I have not been able to rebuild a better one. I intend to spend 50,000 shillings to construct a 2 room house so that we can leave a decent life and comfortably without any worry. Other than that, I will invest the remaining amount in small businesses selling vegetables which will be a source of income for our family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is my happiest part of the day. It is at this time when I have enough time to thank God for giving me another day to work extra hard and provide for my family needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is lack of a good source of income. I work as a casual laborer at our nearby center in construction sites. This job is not guaranteed due to the highest level of unemployment in our areas. Also it earns me 250 shillings which is not enough to sustain all our needs such as shelter.
