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 ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Even though I have no money left with me at the moment, I still wish to start a new business that I feel will boost my family's livelihood in the future. I have been having this idea for a long time and I still believe that the proceeds I am getting from the farming practices I have been doing will be part of the capital for the start of the business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I was glad to see a lot of transformation in our village after receiving the first and the second transfers. many ensured that they make a lasting change in their households through the construction of new houses and the purchase of livestock. In my opinion, the support that we received in form of cash was the best decision by GiveDirectly. I saw no wrong that was done at all as everyone still wish that the same would be initiated in all villages around.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my family of seven, spending on milk daily has never been any cheaper but would cost us quite a lot. I had to spend KES 26000 out of the second transfer to buy a dairy cow. I am happy that we are no longer buying milk but getting enough from the lactating cow that I bought. I also paid school fees for my child currently in secondary school, furniture for my new house worth KES 5000 to replace the old ones that I had been using in the older house that I demolished after the construction of a new house. With the remaining amount, I spent KES 4000 on buying foodstuff for my family of seven and also spent the last bits on clothing for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($504 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember vividly like yesterday. It was around 9:10 am when I heard a ringtone message from my phone. I was doing my morning chores. I stop and checked it, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I immediately inform my family members and they also celebrated. I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my son who was to join form one. I heard a ringtone message from my phone. Was doing my chore. Immediately I heard the celebration from my neighbors. It was a big day for us, a day I will never forget because I have never received such amount of money before.
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 have paid school fees for my son who was joining form one this year. I usually depend on small scale farming and casual jobs in the village. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family including paying school fees for my children. I didn't had some savings and it could have been so hard for me to get the school fees. When I received the transfer I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my son. I am so happy and this has given me an opportunity to save some money to pay for the next term. My son is now studying in school and he promised to work hard for better results. This was a big motivation for him and the other children whom their parents paid for them. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled us to educate our children and sure build a better future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 100 dollars on school fees for my son who was joining form one last month. I am so happy because my son is studying now in school and all the school fees paid. I bought a heifer at a cost of 200 dollars. When this reproduces in the future I will be able to get enough milk for my family consumption. The rest of the money I used on food, clothes and sofa set seats. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My son will be joining high school in August after doing well in his primary school national examinations.We had planned to sell one of our cows to raise his school fees as well as buy all the other requirements.Of course selling this cow would have been a great set back because we have only two but it was the only way out for us.Receiving this money means we no longer have to worry about this.Instead,it will even enable us to add one more cow to our herd.This will enable us have a back up in case we run into fee shortages in the course of his four years of study and also for his siblings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening.After a very tedious day up and about in the homestead and the farm,it is the only time that I get to take a rest.This allows me to build up energy for the same activities the following day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is continously engaging in farming activities without getting a harvest.Every year, we plant maize in our one acre piece of land.The crops are usually very healthy for the first few months ,but year in year out,there is prolonged drought which sweeps out the entire crop farm leaving us with no option but to buy food.Setting aside money to buy food which we would have otherwise produced in the farm means that we have to forgo other important needs such as getting our children into good schools.
