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 almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am a mother of five children. Three boys and two girls. I spent the transfer to pay for my form three son school fees of Kes.15000. I also managed to buy a bed which I never had at Kes. 5500 and a mattress at Kes. 3500. Buying a goat was also my dream and I managed to buy four at Kes. 2500 each. In addition, I am a maize farmer but drought has made us go hungry since Our farms don't do well. Thank you, you have put a smile on my face.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
You have eliminated poverty in my house and my community as a whole. Thank you so much. On the other hand, there is nothing bad I have seen with this programme.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Boosted my hotel business with Kes. 10000. Paid school fees for my children at Kes. 5000. Bought 3 goats at Kes. 3000 each. Bought food and saved the rest. Indeed you have put a smile On my face.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10am while in the bush making charcoal, when I received the transfer message I my phone. Being a class four dropout wasn’t a barrier for me to interpret the money message I received. I felt so overwhelmed to an extent of not being able to proceed with the work I was doing. I quietly left the bush for home to take a rest.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, we were passing through thick and thin, the life struggle was real. Taking breakfast was a miracle for my family, they only heard about it from neighbors and friends. As of now my family is doing well and they take tea in the morning. I am very grateful for the support that GiveDirectly accorded me and my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the money, I paid KES 10,000.00 school fees for my secondary school child so that he could be retained in school. I also bought 4 goats for KES 10,000.00. Since I already had a house, the bedding was pathetic. I was using a small traditional bed tied with ropes. Looking at that condition, I bought a nice standard modern bed for KES 5500.00 and a mattress for KES 3500.00. Having done that, I kept the remaining amount for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means continued education for my children.My husband and I depend on charcoal production which is energy draining and gives us an income of KES 24,00 per month. The earnings are not enough for my household of six members because we spend KES 200 on food and KES 100 on water during week days and an extra KES 100 for water on weekends.This is for washing school uniforms.Therefore, I am planning to spend KES 40,000 to pay school fees of my son who is in secondary school. Besides, I will use a portion of the second transfer to buy four indigenous goats because they do well in our area due to harsh weather conditions.As the giants multiple I will sell at a profit and use it when I am in need.The remaining amount will help me cater for other basic needs such as food and water which sells at KES 50 for a jerrican of 20 lts as a result of prolonged drought.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning .This is when I return from my daily task of charcoal production and rest at home with my neighbors.Being the time we talk about our well being in the homestead and exchange ideas on domestic issues.At this time I indeed enjoy their company.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I ever faced in my life is food insecurity due to the prolonged drought. It has been three years since it rained sufficiently in our area.This has been a stumbling block to achieving the education for my children. Most of the money my husband and I make from charcoal production KES 2,400 go into buying food and water.
