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 ($421 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Ever since I came into the City, I have realized that taxi business is very profitable. Since I cannot afford to buy a car now, I am saving towards the same and I am also in active talks with a certain bank that I want to take a loan. Achieving this means more income and investing in more businesses thus improving living standards for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
As far as my observation is concerned, I was very satisfied with your services same as many people in the family. What GiveDirectly does well is doing everything independently without involving stakeholders who might politicize the process. That was a job well done.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I was enrolled in the program, I had no reliable job and I used to work as a casual for my brother who owns and operates a power saw machine. I used to earn a daily wage of $2 and this could only afford two meals a day for my family of four children. Since I didn't have a decent house nor did I own any domestic animals, I spend my first transfer to build decent muddy walled two bedroom house and bought dairy calf . For the second transfer, I spend $520 to buy a second hand motorbike taxi and the balance to buy food. After purchasing the motorbike, I secured a job in the city as a delivery guy that pays me $400 per month. I am now able to provide three meals per day for my family and I took my children to good private schools. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for changing my life and that of my family and I will forever be grateful.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 am while about my daily taxi work when I received a message on my phone. On checking, I confirmed to have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and this motivated me to make double profits that day and week. This is because many people in our village benefit from GiveDirectly transfers and therefore required transportation at the time.
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 the purchase of my dairy cow. This has helped reduced milk expenses and encouraged me to save towards school fees payment.
The transfers have enabled me to complete my house which had stalled for the last six years.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of three and have been managing my brother's power saw business for an income. Additionally, I have worked as a taxi driver for my second brother.
During enrollment, my priority was a dairy cow. So when the transfers arrived, I spent KES 30,000 on a dairy cow. This is because I have been buying a liter of milk for the last ten years paid every month. This was quite costly given that I was living from hand to mouth but GiveDirectly has relieved me of these burdens.
Secondly, I spent KES 18,000 on the purchase of sand, gravel, ceiling boards, and cement These were for upgrading a timber-framed and mud floor house built in 2016.
Thirdly, I spent KES 3,000 on a half-sack of maize, 25 kilos of rice, and other household items. This has helped in the reduction of household expenditures, especially in the last month.
Lastly, I spent KES 3,000 on the latest clothing fashion for my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to purchase a dairy cow. In our culture we value cows for milk and my family has not had that opportunity of owning one due to lack of money. I am a casual laborer doing timber cutting and my pay is usually KES 200 which I spend on purchasing basic needs for my family like milk. I have desired to own a cow for milk and if in surplus I can sell to generate income. It will be my joy to see my children's nutritional status improve. So when I received this money I will spend KES 50000 to purchase one.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I got a job of cutting timbers around the village. Although my pay is not much it brings joy and happiness into my life that my family will not go to bed on an empty stomach.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is the lack of a source of income. I used to depend on farming for food and as a source of income but with the changing weather patterns farming has reduced. The onset of Lethal necrosis made maize plantation impossible as it was our stable food. This has rendered us dependent on food vendors and due to insufficient money my family is forced to have two meals in a day. This is worrying me since I have young children whose nutritional status is at stake. I do casual jobs with less pay than KES 200 per day and this money goes into purchasing basic needs for my family. I am passionate about poultry farming but due to a lack of capital, it has been a challenge to start it.
