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 ($489 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The accomplishments I managed after receiving the first and the second transfer are so great that my household looks quite different from how it would have been if I had never received the transfer. I am glad that I managed to complete the construction of a new and spacious house for the whole family. It would have been so hard for me to accumulate a huge amount of money that would have been enough to put up such a descent structure but GiveDirectly made it possible for me through the transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the aid I received as everyone else did in our village is the best thing to ever happened to this community. The approach by GiveDirectly was perfect as the officers visited every household, access the household situation, and made a promise which came to pass in every family. Allowing us to also choose how best we could spend the transfer was a great decision. I am grateful, nothing to complain about, and still hoping that we would get more and more of the same.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the second transfer I spent the first part of it on the construction of a new house. Initially, I was living in an old one that was so small for my growing family. I also paid school fees after obtaining new school uniforms for my children and bought three goats with the remaining amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home in my house when I first received the transfers. I heard a message come into my phone and when I checked, it was the GiveDirectly transfers. I was very very happy when I saw the Mpesa message. I knew that I could now own a bigger house.
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 can now build a bigger and more spacious house for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to buy three goats at $90, and the remaining amount of money I spent on buying materials for building a new house. I have six children and we currently live in a small two-roomed house. I cut and sell charcoal for a living which is only sufficient to provide meals for my family; at times what I earn is not even enough. I was glad that I could now be able to build a bigger and more spacious house for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
A decent shelter for my family is what receiving this money means to me. Currently, we are living in a small, temporary house which is about to collapse, I have wished to own a good but I have not realized this due to the financial instability. I am planning to spend $ 250 to construct a two-roomed house for my family. I will invest the remaining amount in my children's educational needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day unlike the morning and afternoon when I am busy with my charcoal vending job. I only come home in the evening to relax and meet my family after a tiresome day of work. It also at this time that I listen to my favorite radio station while eating with my family, listening to music relieves my stress.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a sustainable source of income is my biggest hardship I am facing in my life. I am unskilled and getting a good job to support my family of 8 members has been a great challenge to me. The only source of livelihood is charcoal vending a job that earns me 1.5 dollars a day which I spend it on food for my family.
