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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I’ve always wanted to keep goats, and currently, I have twelve of them. My goal is to expand this number significantly. I plan to build up my herd so that, in the future, when my daughter transitions from primary school, I can sell some goats to help cover her education costs. By the time she finishes her final exams, I hope to have a larger number of goats, which will ease the financial burden when she starts college. As a widow, this plan gives me confidence that I can manage her education and our needs. I’m determined to make this dream a reality.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My youngest daughter is in seventh grade at the nearby school, but paying her fees on time has been a challenge. As a widow with four children, I rely on the charitable business to support us, and sometimes she would be sent home to collect fees, causing delays in her studies. I recently paid $30 for the previous term, and I’m relieved she can start the new term smoothly since they are currently on holiday. This has motivated her, and I believe it will enhance her performance. I also bought a goat to keep at home, which will serve as an asset. Once it matures, I can sell its offspring for additional support. Additionally, I spent about $26 on food items, which has ensured that we no longer go to bed hungry. I started a project to build a rental house in a nearby town but ran into financial difficulties. I saved $34 from the recent transfers to buy materials and complete the construction. Once finished, the rental income will provide a reliable source of income, easing the financial burden of caring for my children.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am currently in the process of building a rental house on my piece of land, and the monthly transfers have played a significant role in its construction. Previously, I couldn't afford to buy the necessary building materials, but with the help of the transfers, I'm grateful that I started the construction. I've been buying the materials gradually, as soon as I have saved enough, and my goal is to see this house come to completion. I'm assured of earning some rental income once it's complete, which will supplement my income. So far, I've been surviving on fetching and selling firewood, which doesn't pay much. I believe that earning some rental income will not only transform my household's living standards but also help me pay school fees for my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always wanted to have a stable source of income to support my family. Ever since my husband passed away, I have been struggling to make ends meet with casual jobs that don't pay well. Despite being financially drained, I have taken on the full responsibility of educating my two children who are currently in high school. To make things work, I have been collecting and selling firewood, which is a difficult job. My husband left a piece of land in our trading centre, which was meant for constructing rental houses, but it remained unused for years after his death because I was not financially stable enough to undertake the project. However, when I started receiving my monthly transfers, I decided to revive the project. After paying for my children's fees, I began saving a portion of my transfers and managed to accumulate the necessary building materials like sand, cement, and bricks. With my recent transfers, I ordered two truckloads of sand and bricks that cost $120 and also bought some bags of cement to help with the construction. Now, I am in the process of building a six-room rental house that I believe will attract tenants and eventually generate rental income when it's completed.
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before my husband's passing, he had acquired a parcel of land intending to build a home. Regrettably, he was unable to realize this plan. My objective for the upcoming year is to initiate the construction of our family home on this property. I've diligently saved the financial assistance I received, accumulating resources to purchase necessary building materials. I am optimistic that construction will commence in the coming year. The prospect of having a permanent residence holds significant meaning for my children as they will have a place to call their own, a lasting legacy in honor of their late father. The anticipation of realizing these goals brings me immense joy, and I eagerly look forward to the fulfillment of this heartfelt endeavor.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Five years ago, my husband tragically lost his life in a road accident when he was hit by a car. In an instant, life underwent a profound transformation for me and my seven children, as I assumed sole responsibility for their well-being. Meeting their needs became exceptionally challenging due to the struggles my soap-selling business was facing. Despite my determination to provide education, it proved to be a big struggle. Fortunately, GiveDirectly came to my rescue through financial transfers, enabling five of my children to complete their schooling, with only two left to support. Using the funds received, I allocated $39 to purchase a goat and two chickens as a contingency for emergencies. Additionally, $27 went towards acquiring food for my family, as our supplies had depleted. Recognizing the importance of self-care, I allocated $12 for new clothing, replacing worn-out and tattered garments. The remaining amount was wisely saved for future use in purchasing building materials. I am grateful for the invaluable support I have received.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The ongoing financial challenges I'm facing are prompting me to explore opportunities in income-generating endeavors. One of my intended projects involves the construction of a rental property, with the goal of securing a consistent monthly revenue stream. This additional income is expected to provide substantial relief for certain expenses that currently exceed my means. I find solace in the fact that the assistance provided through these transfers will empower me to realize this aspiration.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In July, $20 of my transfer was allocated to settling my son's secondary school fees; he is currently in Form 2. He had been asked to leave school temporarily due to an outstanding debt of $5700 that he owed. Lacking the necessary funds at that moment, he remained at home for three days until I eventually received my transfer, prompting me to send him the required funds. I hold deep appreciation for the invaluable financial assistance that has enabled me to foster my son's education. The remaining $14 was utilized for purchasing food supplies. My role as a casual laborer engaged in charcoal sales fails to generate sufficient income to adequately provide for my two children, who are financially dependent on me following my husband's passing. Consequently, I've been compelled to take on significant loans as an attempt to fulfill my children's needs. Nonetheless, with the aid of the monthly transfers, I am gradually but surely navigating this challenging situation, and for that, I am truly thankful.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
When my husband passed away, he left me a piece of land near the trade center in Guruguru, where he had planned to build a rental house. The hardships that followed his death hindered me from picking on the task from where he had left. It was until I started receiving the cash transfers that I got the motivation to build the house. Since we had already acquired the bricks, I only need to save money for irons sheets and other building materials alongside labor compensation. I plan on building a six-room rental structure.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a widow, keeping three children in school has been a real challenge to me. Before the cash transfers, I used to rely on charcoal burning to provide for the needs of my children. The physical demands of the activity were becoming unbearable and my body could handle any more pain. Gladly, the cash transfers were enough motivation for me to take a break from the practice, Ever since, I have used these funds for my basic needs. However, recently, I decided to spend $23 on acquiring a goat because if I focus on covering my needs alone, I may never build something out of the cash aid program. Rearing livestock will establish a solid income foundation, which can help settle my bills in the future. Also, I spent $10 to buy school uniforms for my daughter who joined junior high school two months ago. All along, she had been attending classes in uniforms from her previous school because I could not raise money for the attire by then. Am happy that she appropriately dresses for school these days.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES
access_time over 1 year ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
For the last couple of years I have been a widow and therefore I have had to hold the burden of the finances concerned with my children's education and well-being by myself. This has been quite tough and that is why I am grateful for the generosity I've received from the organization because through the funds I can take care of my children's health their clothing, basic needs and necessities that they need for their day-to-day life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time I happened to receive the funds I was extremely grateful for it especially since my daughter had been ailing for quite a while to the point where she had been admitted to hospital. The debt at the hospital had accumulated for KES 14,000 and yet I had no penny on me. That is why I was extremely joyful to receive the funds when I did and I immediately went ahead to spend the entire money which was KES 3,400 on trying to pay for the hospital bill.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was overjoyed when I learned that I had received my transfer. I had to rely on my helper. After all, I could not read or write because I never went to school. My assistant is dependable and always willing to assist me. We had slept hungry the day before the transfer because we had run out of food. I didn't have enough money to buy more food. It was 6 p.m., and I had confirmed the recipe for transfer at that time. I was home alone with the disabled son because the others were still at school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My children almost missed their exams because I could not afford to pay their fees. With the transfer, I was able to support them. A situation, that alleviated my initial concerns. I feel good and happy seeing them leave for and return from school every day. In addition, as a result of the transfer, I now have a hen. I did not have one at first because I could not afford to buy a chick. Whatever little money I could scrape together went straight to food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a widow and a mother of four children. Among them, three are school-going while one is disabled. I always struggle to cater to their needs because I do not have any income-generating activity. Mostly, I am at home looking after my disabled son, Peter Rodgers. Therefore when I received my transfer, I spent $5 on examination fees for my three children, Samuel, Susan, and Mapenzi. I am glad they sat for their exams courtesy of the transfer. I also used $2 on a hen. Lastly, I used $5 on food that lasted us for two days.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have three school going children, two in secondary school while the other one is in her last academic year of primary education. Burning charcoal is what am doing to raise school fees. Approximately 1000KES obtained from the sell of charcoal every week is not enough to cater for all the family needs. This has contributed to frequently staying without food and the children are often sent home for school fees. The GiveDirectly transfers will help me in paying school fees on time and have my children enjoy learning without fear. I will save 1500KES every month for this purpose while 500KES will be towards purchasing goats as the rest is spent on food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had no coin in my pocket and there was no food in the house. In addition two of my children were sent back home to collect school fee arrears.I sold an acre of a shamba for 120 000KES which I happily spent to clear the fee balances and utilized the rest for food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Two months ago I left home for burial. I left my daughter-in-law to take charge of my goats. When I came home late in the evening, I found no goat in the yard. Upon enquiring, the animals were all lost. I did not sleep that night. Early in the morning, I left home in searching trying to trace and locate possible destinations but in vain. I have been waking up doing the same without success. Losing twelve goats all at once has given me stressful life.