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?
My goal was to buy livestock and pay school fees for my children which has been achieved, for now, I haven't thought about any new goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is giving unconditional cash transfers to recipients so that they have authority of spending because they are the one who understands their needs well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before severe drought struck our land, I used to have so many livestock as I would sell them once in a while to pay school fees and provide my family with other necessities. Last year when all the land dried and we couldn't afford to buy grass for our livestock, they all died and I was left with nothing that I could depend on. It became difficult to depend on my husband who is a mason because very few people could afford to build house then. When I was enrolled in the program, my goals were to buy some other livestock, clear fees arrears for our children and buy a bed and mattress so that we couldn't stop sleeping on the floor and have a comfortable sleep at last. All these goals have been achieved as I spend Ksh 25000 to buy 12 goats and 3 sheep, Ksh 8000 to clear fees balance, Ksh 5000 to buy bed and a matress and the balance is what I have been spending to provide food and basic needs to my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so grateful the moment I received the money because that was a chance and ability to address the challenges I was facing and get the things I only used to desire by heart. I desired to have goats, settle my childrens' school fees arrears and get a bed, therefore when I received the money I was so grateful since I was going to get all those things done.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is the peace of heart and mind I now have unlike before. I am happier and grateful now that my children are in school and I am not worried about them having to be sent home for school fees arrears. I am also grateful I got the desires of my heart and I am happy, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a total of KES31500 on buying six goats and three sheep at a cost of KES3500 each. I bought these because they are a lifelong investment and have a lot of benefits to the family. I can sell one or goats or sheep in the future after they have multiplied, they will always provide milk to the family and when I have an event or ceremony then I won't have to worry about what to be slaughtered that day. I also settled my childrens' school fees arrears for KES10000 because they had accumulated for a long period and it never used to bring me joy because I used to depend on word of mouth and empty promises to the school administration to allow my children to stay in school and learn. Right now, however, I am happy and grateful I settled the school fees and even paid for the remaining school term because when my children get a good education, they will be employed and will be able to take care of me in the future.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means investment to me. In my community, the only investment one can have is either goats or cows. I do not have even one. Upon receiving the money, I will buy 20 goats at a cost of 58000 KES. This will help me in future for emergency uses. I will also use 40000 KES to clear school fees for my son who is in secondary school. The school fee balance is 40000 KES. I will use the remaining 12000 KES to buy food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning. This is because I am fresh from a sleep . In the morning, I am normally stress free unlike in the afternoon and in the evening where I feel stressed when I fail to get any work over the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am working as a casual labourer and my son is in form four at Mitangani secondary school. When covid-19 came , I can not find any job now and I do not have any investment that I can use to pay school fees for my son. Last month he was sent home due to lack of school fees. I tried to look for money and I have not got any money to take my son back to school. That is the biggest hardship I faced in my life.
