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
55000 KES ($456 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal is for me to build a decent house for my family. I am optimistic that I would be able to achieve this from my monthly salary. This is because the house that I am currently living in is small. All in all, I am forever grateful for the great support that came my way.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly was the most significant thing that happened in my life. This is because they allowed us to choose how best we would utilise our transfers without any restrictions. I did not witness any loopholes in their line of duty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my second transfer, I thought of paying school fees for my children. This is because it was the most pressing need at the time. I am a teacher by profession and a mother of six children. Therefore, I utilise the entire KES 55,000 on school fees payment. This has been a challenge because my children report to school at the same time, making it difficult to raise a lump sum at once. I am so happy for the support that boosted my finances when I needed it most.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The money came at a time when I had school fees in arrears. That day I arrived home from my teaching job at around 6 pm and as a routine, I left my phone and went to feed my livestock. Then later on at around 7 pm while cooking dinner is when I checked my phone. To my amazement, I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is school fees payment and debt settlement. As a result, I no longer have to borrow money for school fees as I had planned but GiveDirectly came on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a primary school teacher and a mother of six. My husband also works as a vet. Additionally, I do poultry and dairy farming to fend for my family.
When the transfers arrived I had school arrears for my three kids one in high school and two in primary school. I, therefore, spent KES 36,000 of the transfers on clearing school fees arrears. As a result, my kids now concentrate on their studies.
Secondly, KES 12,000 was used on debt settlement for a business that we started that backfired.
Thirdly, KES 4,000 was used to purchase an electricity meter. This is because the electricity company had threatened to take it back after giving on credit.
Lastly, KES 4,000 was used on two high-density of mattresses. This is because my kid's mattresses were old and worn out.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My children's current and future welfare is always my top priority. I am lucky in my society to have a permanent job as a result of my education. I pity the household with no income at all with the current economy. I have concluded that giving my children a good education is the key to better living standards. To me, receiving the cash transfer means good education for my children. I wish to use KES 60000 to pay their fee so that I will have ample time to pursue their education. I know with a good time in school they will achieve good grades which will take them to a higher level of education and later on good jobs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Life in the current economy is not easy with most of the basic commodities rising in price. I spend approximately KES 300 a day on my daily household daily expenditures. Farming has not been doing well of late due to low rainfall and crop diseases making life more difficult. In the last six months, I have been able to meet our needs courtesy of my teaching occupation. I attribute my happiness to my job since I would not have managed without it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Even though I own an approximately 4-acre piece of land, farming here has not been reliable due to low rainfall and crop disease. I do practice livestock keeping with its production being seasonal. I spend more than a third of my salary on daily household needs and the remaining on my children's school fees. Investing in other income-generating activities is so hard for me. Financial instability is my main challenge.
