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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal was to build another house and leave the the one that I have been living for the kids and this is a goal that I have already achieved.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, everything was perfectly done and I would urge you to continue uplifting the poor societies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Imagine having to walk for 12 kilometers to look for water only to come back with a 20 ltr jerican? That's how life has been for us for two years now due to prolonged drought. Lucky are those who are blessed to have bysicle because they can carry at least three to four jericans per trip. My goals have always been buying a bysicle to save my wife and children from struggles carrying heavy jericans on their back for long distance as well as build another house so that we can have privacy as parents and stop struggling for space in one roomed house which we share with our four children. So far, these goals have been achieved as spend Ksh 22000 to build a semi permanent single room which I have already moved in, Ksh 8000 to buy a bysicle and Ksh 12000 to pay school fees for my children. I have been spending the balance to provide food and basic needs for my family. I am so grateful for the support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($490 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 AM when I had gone to visit a friend from just 4KM from my homestead when my mobile phone. Since I was waiting to hear from GoveDirectly, I decided to check the contents of the two messages that I had just received. I dint believe what I saw, it was an Mpesa message that I had patiently been waiting for from GD. I felt so happy because through the cash, I was assured of achieving most of my long-time heart desires. I had to rush back home and share the news with my other family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life that I can talk of is that through financial support I have been able to shelter in a good environment. I have been longing to build a decent one because of the financial hardships I couldn't afford to buy the necessary materials needed. Being the family breadwinner the little I have been earning from the casual jobs could only cater for the family's daily meals and paying school fees for my children. Therefore my life on my side has been very tough all along. My children have always been forced to seek shelter from neighbors which were quite far and I was always worried about their safety. Also during the rainy seasons, my wife and I had to squeeze in one corner of the house till the rains stop. For now, this is history because I can proudly mention that GiveDirectly came the time that needed help the most. We are now sheltering under one roof with all my six family members without having about the insecurities and the rains.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a bicycle at KES 15000 which is now helping me in carrying water from the dam. At least I no longer borrow from my friends. I also bought some building materials such as twenty-one pieces of iron sheets at KES 19950, building poles at KES 5000, and the labor charge of KES 8000. I bought all these with an ain of constructing a new house becasue the previous one was very small and with a family of five, it could not accommodate us all. I later paid fees for my children and bought them new uniforms and stationery. With the remaining amount I bought enough foodstuffs for my children and for now, we are taking at least two meals a day unlike before.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have dreaming to build a house for my children for many years but because of the financial problems I have I could not make my dream.My daughter is 16 years old and depends on borrowing a place to sleep every night. This is because my house cannot accommodate all of us .I am also lucking privacy because my daughter is a grownup now. Receiving this money means I will build a house for my children so that my daughter will be relieved the burden of sleeping in other people's house and sleep in her house.The house will cost me 60,000 KES .I will use the remaining amount to buy 6 goats which will cost me 18000 KES.Goats do good on our area and I believe they will multiply in number and eventually I will have wealth. The rest of the transfer I will start a business to increase my daily earnings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning when I wake up and see I have energy to perform my business of charcoal burning.I thank God for giving me another day and energy to perform my daily work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is hunger in my family. Drought has persisted for a year now and I do not have food in my house . The job I depend on of charcoal burning does not sustain the needs of my house.I am also facing water shortage in my house.we are getting fresh water from Bamba town which is very far and we need to buy at a cost of 20 KES per 20 liters jerican.
