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 ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment, I don't have any new goals, this is because I had started constructing a decent house for my family, therefore I would want to accomplish the goal first. I am grateful for the support that lifted our lives amazingly
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We are glad that GiveDirectly gave us unrestricted cash which enabled me to achieve my dreams, I am grateful for the support that empowered our people by bettering our living standards. In my opinion, GiveDirectly staffs are polite and approachable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Words cannot explain the immense joy that I felt when I first received my transfer, This is because I knew that I would be able to achieve the goals that I was unable to realise for a long time due to financial constraints, thus I used KES 10,000 in paying for the fee arrears of my four children who are schooling, I then used the remaining amount in building a decent house for my family, this is because the one that I was living in before was small and old, I am grateful for the support that brought so much joy and happiness.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($487 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home herding my cows. I had my phone with me but it was on silent mode so I did not hear it ringing to notify me of an incoming message. It was later when I had gone back home when I saw that there was a new message saying that I had received the promised transfer of KES 55000 in my mobile money account. I was so happy on seeing this and I immediately informed my wife who was at home with me. She was so happy on learning the good news and we gave thanks to God and GiveDirectly. We then sat down and we started planning on how we were going to spend the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has brought a very big difference in my life and that of my family. We were able to pay school fees in advance for our three children who are in secondary school. They are hence no longer going to be sent home due to school fees arrears. We on the other hand will no longer have to worry about where to get money to do so, we can hence concentrate on our farm work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the money on paying school fees for my three children who are in secondary school. I paid KES 10000 for each of them. I was about to clear the school fees arrears but I decided to pay the next year's fees. I decided to do so because I saw that getting money for paying their school fees next year was going to be hard. My wife and I are farmers and we depend on farming to earn a living. We usually grow crops such as vegetables, onions and we sell them to get money for paying school fees for our children. Currently we are experiencing drought and the crops that are on the farm might not do well due to too much sun. We are therefore so much grateful to GiveDirectly for everything they have done to us.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a subsistence farmer living with my family in a semi-permanent house. I built my house at the early age of my marriage with the hope and plan that I would construct a more decent and permanent house with time. As time went by, my children grew and their need for education came in which I transferred all my attention to. Receiving this money means better housing for my family. I am planning to spend KES50000 to construction a better house that can comfortably host my family. This will boost our self-esteem in society and give us the courage to welcome visitors into our home. I am planning to spend KES60000 on other family basic needs mainly children's education, food, and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend my entire morning hours on the farm taking care of my livestock or crop cultivation. I take long rest in the afternoon just after taking my lunch. This is the time I relax as I plan on what to give my family for supper and my next day's activities. I find the afternoon the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It was 1997 when a long drought was witnessed in our area. I had just gotten married and I was engaged in Livestock keeping as my economic activity. This drought is the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life since I lost part of my livestock which I had kept as my financial security in addition to lack of food in our household.
