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 ($493 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?
Being a landowner is something that I have never imagined in my life. I was able to achieve this goal with the help of my transfer. I am now running a charcoal business with my brother after purchase a motorbike which earns me income daily that enables me to meet my family's basic needs without struggling.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Sending unconditional cash to the extremely poor household is what GiveDirectly did well, this enabled every household in my village decide on our they would spend their money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After separating with my husband due to family problems, I returned to my maternal home with my 2 children. My wish was to get a reliable source of income to raise my family. We decided to contribute $ 250 each with my elder brother so that we purchase a motorbike. This was to help us start a charcoal business by supplying charcoal to the nearest town centre where we sell them at a profit. We are now getting a profit of 10dollars per day. I bought an acre of land with the remaining amount as a future investment for my children and purchased clothes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1300Hrs when I heard a message come into my phone. On checking the phone it was the Mpesa message, I was very happy as we had no food at all on that day. I hadn't eaten anything on that day since morning. I was very happy and grateful to GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a motorbike that can earn me some daily income from transportation of people around.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to purchase a motorbike that can be used for business. I bought this motorbike so that it can transport people around for some pay. I have two children aged nine and three years. I am a housewife and I hope I can make money out of this motorbike to support my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"I have desired to own a piece of residential land, but due to financial challenges, this dream has never occurred. I returned from my marital home 2 years ago and I have been staying in my brother's house with my 2 children. According to our culture, if a lady got married she is not considered as part of the family anymore when it comes to the division of wealth. I am planning to spend 70,000 shillings to purchase a piece of land within our village. Also, I am going to spend the remaining part of the transfer to construct a 2 rooms house for my family. Therefore, receiving will restore my dignity and that of my family."
What is the happiest part of your day?
"Evening is my happiest part of the day. It is at this time when I have time to rest after a long day of plating hair peoples so that I can earn something for my family basic needs such as food."
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
"I have been suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding( it is a condition in which ment does not follow a normal pattern) for 2 years. My health has deteriorated. Sometimes I fail to perform my normal duties when I am weak. It has also negatively affected my financial status because I spend 100 shillings in a day purchasing sanitary towels. This condition has hindered me from filling my desire of purchasing a piece of land, making it the biggest hardship I have faced in life."
