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 over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it would have been because through financial help, I managed to buy sevral goats that I am now jeeping in my compound. My aim is that when they multiply I will sell the offsprings so that I can pay for school for my children once they transition to secondary schools. Also having a spacious house makes my life smoother which makes me proud at the same time. I have been staying in a one-roomed grassthched house for all those years and I had no hopes of owning a better one anytime soon. Lastly, there is sufficient food in the house whereby my children are now taking at least two meals a day unlike before whereby they skip meals in most of the days.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does so perfectly well becasue in all the villages everyone has been talking about the positives. Especially on the way that everyone was sent the money directly to his or her phone which was so easy for us to access the help. It is such a unique organization I have ever seen so far. Therefore I do not see any sector GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying iron shirts, nails, and timber, building poles, this was for the addition of a room to my previous house. Also, I cleared school fees for my children at KES 3000 since they are still in primary school. In addition, I saved KES 5000 of the transfer in case of any emergency arises I will able to sort it out. Also, I bought two bags of maize at KES 7000, and I now enough foodstuffs that would take us to the next harvesting season. Also, I bought a mattress and a new bed to replace the old traditional neds that I have been sih for all those years
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?
I received a message on my phone in the morning. When I checked to confirm who the sender was, I realised it was an Mpesa message informing me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was excited and filled with inexpressible joy since the money would transform my life. I could now meet my financial needs with ease.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had began constructing a new spacious house but due to inadequate financial resources, I could not complete it. The previous house was in a bad state, it was leaking and almost collapsing. I had to wait as I look for finances to buy the remaining materials which include timber, iron sheets and nails. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because I would have have waited for months had I not received the transfer. I managed to buy all the remaining materials and my house is now complete. I also paid for the labour involved. I am now living in my new iron roofed house, which makes it to be the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfer helped me to finish a project of constructing a new house that stalled for months due to inadequate financial resources. I purchased the remaining materials which include pieces of iron sheets, nails and timber to complete the construction. Apart from this, I also spent the transfer on paying school fees for my four children. They are now comfortably learning without any interruptions on fees. I spent the remaining amount on buying three goats which I am currently keeping in my homestead.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me extend my house from 2 to 3 rooms and make some repairs on the roof and walls. With five children, the house is congested. I have budget 200 USD for the house. School fees has also been a burden for me. I will therefore use 100 USD to pay school fees for my children when schools re open. I also have a plan of buying one dairy cow at a cost of 150 USD. From the cow I can get milk for sale which will boost my income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. Evening hours come as a relief for me because I am usually done with the day's activities. I do physical jobs which are energy draining hence getting some rest in the evening is very fulfilling for me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My spouse and I are casual labourers. What we get from the casual jobs is not enough to cater for all the needs of our children. I have 5 children and getting the basic needs and school fees for them has been an uphill task. My children are sometimes sent home due to lack of school fees. This makes me feel bad because their education is what I believe is important to change their future positively. Such financial problems is what has been my biggest hardship.
