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 ($464 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?
My goal is to continue building a business that I started after receiving the transfers so that it can get to a point of giving me a reliable income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly gives us unconditional transfers so that we can spend it according to our needs. If the cash was conditional,I wouldn't have fulfilled my most immediate needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was a charcoal burner and since it's the only source of income in our neighborhood it led to lack of trees. My husband being a casual labourer, the low wages wasn't enough to take care of the family. Having to provide for eight children with seven in school was not a easy task for both of us but GiveDirectly made it happen. After receiving the transfers I spend 15000 KES to start a hotel business,14000 KES to buy iron sheets,6000 KES to pay school fees and I usually spend the balance to buy food and basic needs. I thank GiveDirectly for making my dreams come true.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As I was sleeping, my phone rang right beside my head and I unwillingly wake up only to realize that it was a message. I felt annoyed but I didn’t ignore. Although it was around 10.30pm, I contacted my class seven son who was still on his table studying to check the message for me. The boy confirmed that I had received KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. My heart became light; I was filled with joy and thanksgiving for the huge amount of money I had received. The happiness made me sleep at around 12mid-night.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially I was walking in shame. Sleeping in your Father-in-law’s house is a shameful thing in our society but I had no alternative. As at now I give my gratitude to the GiveDirectly organization for covering me from this societal shame. As at now I have my own house and I have started getting the respect I lacked for several years.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before withdrawing the money I planned of constructing a house because the one I was living in it belonged to my father-in-law. In that regard, when I withdrew the money, I bought 18 pieces of iron sheets, nails and ridges for about KES 17000.00. I also bought a bed and a mattress for KES 13500.00. This was the second priority because I have been sleeping on the floor for several years. After settling the 2 items, I paid KES 5000.00 fees for my seven primary school children; I bought some clothes for them and also a stock of food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means access to education for my children. I have a family of nine children who depend on me to meet their basic needs. Out of the nine, eight are currently in primary school. As we speak, the eldest who is in class eight has been sent home due to school fee arrears. He has been here for ten days now. However, due to lack of enough money, I am not able to raise the balance of 5100 KES. I depend on charcoal burning business that earns me less that 4000KES a month. All the profit I make from this business is solely used for food and water. This has made life more difficult. My joy is to see my children finish the basic education and join college so that they can get jobs. Upon receiving this cash transfers, I will clear the debts in school then buy twenty goats which I will keep and sell when they multiply as an investment for my children's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last week, our village received aid from the government and other politicians. Every household was given five Kilograms of rice and two kilograms of beans. This gave me hope and I felt relieved because at least my children could eat food for two days. This saved my budget for the two days that I would have used. So this boosted my family and for once, my family had food for five days.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income is the biggest challenge that I am facing. Can you imagine having a family of nine children who look up on you for their survival and without any source of income to meet their basic needs? This is the scenario that I am currently in. My husband left to Makindi town to look for casual jobs in January. However, with the covid 19 pandemic, he has not secured any that can help my family. I am left alone to make both ends meet from the charcoal burning business. Most of the time we are forced to skip a meal or two because their is no money to buy food. This gives me a lot of stress. I intend to use the cash transfer as a stepping stone. I will buy twenty goats that will cost me 60000 KES which I will keep and sell when they multiply so that I pay school fees and meet other basic needs of my family.
