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 ($502 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am now living in a decent iron-roofed house that I built through the transfer. My previous house was in a very pathetic condition and I couldn't even afford to renovate it. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because when I received my transfer, I purchased enough building materials to construct the new house. Apart from this, my son is now comfortably in school because of this money. I have also revived my business which was almost collapsing. I am now getting a good income which is able to effectively buy daily foodstuffs for my family and also paying daily household expenses without struggle.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving us the transfer in order to improve and promote our living standards because we were in total poverty. Our lives have greatly changed ever since because we have been able to build new houses and paying school fees for our children. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a portion of the money on buying iron sheets and nails to enable me to complete the construction of my new house. I had begun construction but it came to halt since I lacked the money to purchase the remaining materials to finish the house. I also spent KES 30000 to clear my child school fees. This has enabled him to continue with his studies without any interruption. I spent the remaining amount to top up on my savings and started a business of selling vegetables and some fast-moving goods. I am getting an income from this business which has enabled me to cater for my family's needs effectively.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My house was in a bad state and because I did not have enough resources, I could not renovate it. The roof was grass thatched and dilapidated and leaking during the rainy season, and I was not at peace at all. When I received this transfer, I spent a larger amount to purchase adequate building materials which include pieces of iron sheets, building poles to construct a new house. I also paid for the mason for his job. Constructing a decent, iron-roofed house to me is the biggest difference in my daily life because I would not have achieved this if I was to bear the cost on my own.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message alert on my phone and I was curious to know who could have sent a message to me. When I called my helper at daybreak to read the content of the message, I was filled with happiness that knew no bounds since GiveDirectly had sent us our first transfers. I celebrated with my family as I planned on how best I would spend my transfer to bring a positive impact on my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Before GiveDirectly visited us, I was sheltering in a house that was in a very bad condition; its roof was grass thatched, dilapidated and leaking during rains. When I received my first transfer, I took KES 40000 and purchased enough building materials which include pieces of iron sheets, nails and paid for labour for the construction of a new house. I am happy that I do not have to worry in times of rains any longer, and living in a decent house was my biggest dream. I thank GiveDirectly for making me realize this dream after many years struggling. I also spent KES 5000 to pay for tuition fees for my child in college for him to continue with his studies without any interruptions. I also took KES 5000 to hire the services of oxen to plough my farm, because we are currently in the planting season.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having a decent house is all I have been dreaming of. At the moment, I live in a makeshift house; grass thatched with open walls. We have suffered a lot of cold at night and whenever it rains we seek refuge from neighbors. All this started a few years ago when our house collapsed and ever since, we haven't been able to build another one due to lack of finances. Receiving this money means a decent roof over our heads. We are going to priorities on it because the shame and ridicule that has befallen us over the years is no longer fathomable. Apart from that, we also have a child who is in college and I believe this transfer has come at the right time and it will help in facilitating his education fee. We intend to spend the remaining part of the transfer in livestock rearing. This will serve as our long term investment plan.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Waking up to a bright day having had a good rest the whole night is always energizing. This has been the source of inspiration and hope despite the hard situations life has drawn our way. Normally, I do household chores and farm work in the morning and the rest of the day is lighter.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When the resources available are limited, it necessitates a lot of constraints and life stagnates in terms of progressive development. The little income earned goes from hand to mouth and none is left to cater for other pressing needs of the household like food, education, and health care. This has been our journey, and for sure, lack of adequate resources has been the biggest hardship in life. As a result of it, some of our children dropped out of school and it breaks our hearts as parents seeing them engage odd jobs in the village while their age mates are in school. However, we are optimistic this transfers will bring a positive change in the family.
