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 ($498 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer in that if it was not for the transfers my children would still be sleeping in the kitchen which they shared with the chicken too. Seeing them sleep in a conducive environment makes me proud.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion Give Directly does well by giving cash to individuals and let them decide on how to spend it . Most of the needy people have been empowered financially. On the hand I have not seen any areas which they need to improve on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought building materials with the second transfer. My children did not have a place to sleep on so they used to sleep in the kitchen which was not conduce for them. Since it was a single room, they had to share it with the chicken too. I am glad they currently have a conducive place to sleep on which does not have any smoke.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was my son who informed me of the Mpesa message in my phone. I had finally received my first transfer from GiveDirectly as promised. I felt happy and I celebrated this fortune with my family. This money would sort out some important financial needs like school fees for my children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I managed to buy a cow which I am keeping in my homestead. To me this cow is an asset because as it matures and reproduces, I will have many of them. I can readily rely on the offsprings, sell them and take care of my financial needs like school fees for my children. Thus the cow is a saving for the future of my children's education.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20000 of the first transfer on paying school fees for my children in high school. They were allowed to continue with their studies having cleared the arrears on time. Were it not for the transfer, they would have been sent home. In addition to this, I also bought a cow at KES 16000. I am expecting the cow to reproduce and have many of them. I will be selling milk and earn some income . I spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and paying for other household needs.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Supporting my children's education is the greatest desire that I have had because at the moment I am even worried about what I will do whenever schools reopened. My plan once I receive this money is to ensure I take $200 to clear my son's school fee arrears, to give him a conducive environment for his learning. On the other hand, I intend to buy a modern bed plus a mattress using $150, to replace the one which I currently have since my bed is made of rope and the beddings are rugged. The remaining amount will help me to buy 10 goats that will act as my long term investment plan. This will give my life a new version that I have wished for a long time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day is always occupied with work that makes me feel exhausted. This is so because in the morning I am forced to work on my farm before I leave to the bush where I spend the whole afternoon doing my charcoal work. I only come in the evening to meet my family and share food with them. This is the time when I feel a bit relaxed and re-energized; hence, this becomes the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Charcoal burning is what I have known in my life, a job that drains much of my energy. Despite being tiresome, I am forced to doing it so that I get food for my family and also to cater to other very basic needs like school fees. Therefore, the lack of a stable and decent source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
