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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This money has been of great help in the education of my children. I'm not employed hence I have no stable source of income. When I received the first kshs 1,200, I spent kshs 200 to st George's secondary school where I paid school fees of kshs 1,000 for my son who is in form 4.
I received the second transfer of kshs 3,050. I spent kshs 1,300 to buy 2 bags of cement, I paid school fees of kshs 1,500 to Kinarani secondary school for my son who is in form 1. I used the remaining kshs 200 to buy sugar,loaf and airtime..
Finally, my son had a school fees balance of kshs 48,000, so, I spent the third transfer of kshs 3,000 to pay to clear part of his school fees balance.
Thank you so much Give Directly. May God bless you!
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has always offered great support and growth. It has helped me and my family in each and every aspect hence I see positivity and would like them to keep up with the good spirit.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On the 1st transfer totalling to KES 1200, I spent it on clearing part of the school fees balance owed. I received the 2nd transfer and was very appreciative as I had some difficulty in doing some household repairs hence purchasing 2 bags of cement at a total of KES 1300 and using the balance of KES 1750 to clear the balance of what was remaining for the school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The message informing me that I had received the money came in at around nine in the morning and I could not have been any glad because I was swimming in debt and at that moment I did not have even a penny in my pockets so I was honestly very happy to have received the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I happen to have seven children but at the time I settled on paying fees for only two of them because they had the biggest debt in school, so the chance of being able to ensure my children attended class was a very big deal to me and the financial help was much appreciated and it will also help me in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the money my first concern was to pay tuition fee for two of my daughters who were still elementary school because they were sent home almost on a daily basis because they had pending balances. Therefore I took KES 500 and split it equally between the two of them so they could attend classes peacefully. I then decided to take care of nourishment because it was proving to be an ordeal putting food on the table over the last few months so I bought three packets of maize flour worth KES 300 and then I bought kales and tomatoes almost on a daily which cost KES 400.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Working as a mason does not make enough money to take care of my family. Six out of my seven children go to school. When I start receiving these transfers from Give Directly, it will boost my income. I will combine what I make from my daily casual jobs with these and plan how to pay fees in installments.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Sadness feels more like it. I am sad that my family is wallowing in poverty. I am heartbroken that I cannot pay my children's school fees.
My wife is also forced to look for casual jobs to help with the bills. I feel traditionally obliged to provide fully for my family but that is proving to be difficult. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When schools reopened, parents were required to pay fees upfront. I could not raise the money, therefore, three of my children were sent home. As a parent, I feel like I failed them. Hopelessness has become part of me and before I drown in sorrow, I am still holding my head above the water, praying God will make a way out.
