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.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I now saved enough money for the sake of my grandson tuition fees because he will be joining college. I do not have any source of income to depend on for his education. I am happy that at least I have some savings to start with.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My helper informed me early in the morning that some money had been sent into my mpesa account. When I sought to know who the sender was, I was greatly overjoyed on realizing that the money was from GiveDirectly, as they had promised us.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I saved KES 40000 of the first transfer to help me in raising school fees for my grandson who will be joining college next year. Educating him was not easy for me, considering that I do not have a source of income to depend on, thus getting this money will really help me on this. I am spending the remaining amount to buy adequate foodstuffs for my family and also to pay for some other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My grandson Samuel's education is my only priority in life. Being an orphan, am his only hope and I plan to do everything in my power to make his dream of becoming an engineer a reality. He is currently in his third year in secondary school and I plan to use my transfers to pay his fees upto University level where he hopes to pursue a degree in mechanical Engineering. I will invest in livestock to ensure I do not misuse the money so I can later sell them to continue supporting his education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I burn charcoal for a living and it is not an easy job especially now that trees have become scarce. I have to walk long distances to find them and cutting them down requires a lot of energy. Being an old woman, it really wears me out quickly. However, am able to rest in the evening which makes it the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Limited finances have been a constant worry in my life especially since I now have to take care of my grandson who is an orphan. The biggest challenge has been paying his school fees which are way higher than what I can afford. I burn charcoal for survival and it does not make me enough money to support his education as well as meet other needs such as food. Currently, he has a fee balance of about 40,000 shillings which I am struggling to pay.
