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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($492 USD)
access_time almost 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 different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer. This is because my children are now in school concentrating on their studies. Had it not have been for the transfer, I would not have been able to pay their school fees on time. Due to this, they would have lagged behind in their studies unlike their teens. Also, the transfers enabled me to complete building a granary for my family that we had left it incomplete for over a year. I am now glad that this year, we will have a secure place to store our farm produce.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by uplifting people's lives through cash transfers and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 20,000 to pay school fees for my children who are in secondary school. We settled on this so that they would not be sent back home. Also, I spent KES 5000 to finish building a granary for my family. This is because we had left it incomplete for over a year due to insufficient funds. In addition to this, bought three goats worth KES 15,000 as a way of saving this money. These goats will come in handy in educating our children who are in various institutions. Using the remaining amount, I bought some food, utensils and other household necessities.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was from the shamba when I heard neighbours saying that they were grateful. I was wondering why they were saying so until I got to the house and I saw a transfer message. It was GiveDirectly transfer and I was very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am very happy that my son who has been at home due to lack of school fees to go to college is finally in school because of GiveDirectly. I am also happy that GiveDirectly came through for me at a time when access to food had become hard for me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We bought food and clothes for our family. We also paid school fees for my son who had done well in secondary school but we did not have money to take him to college.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a child who is joining university this year to pursue his dream course. Unfortunately, we have not managed to raise the needed fees due to the absence of a reliable source of income in our household. My husband usually attains a meager income from his casual jobs. Also, I am just a peasant farmer. Hence, receiving this money means that our son shall join the university since we will afford to raise the required fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a housewife and peasant farmer, I am busy almost throughout the day. Hence, the happiest part of my day is in the evening when I have completed my tasks. This signifies my utmost responsibility as a parent.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When I was newly married, we used to depend solely on my husband's reasonable income. However, he chose early retirement in the year 2004. Unfortunately, he squandered his retirement benefits. Currently, we are struggling to make ends meet. Also, my husband has never secured any other job. Hence, my husband's misuse of his funds serves as the biggest hardship we have faced.
