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 ($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?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received my transfer in that I am living a spacious Iron roofed house with modern and comfortable beddings. Previously, my house was grass-thatched and was leaking. Furthermore, I was able to acquire oxen and ox plough that will improve my crop farming. I will be able to plough a large portion which will increase the harvest hence enough food supply for the family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for coming up with the program. Sending cash direct to my phone was the best thing the organisation did.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $ 385 of the transfer to purchase 2 oxen and an ox- plough which will assist me in ploughing my farm. Back in the day, I use to plough using my hands which is time consuming and tiresome. Being old I am less energetic because of my deterrent health conditions. Similarly, I purchase one dairy cow for $150 I will have enough milk for my own consumption. Furthermore, I purchased modern beddings for 120 dollars, I was using a traditional bed and old sacks as beddings which was not comfortable at all.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message in my phone and since I could not comprehend the contents, I called for my helper who confirmed to me that I had received my first transfer. I was filled with happiness and thanked GiveDirectly for their generosity.
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 am now living in a decent and iron roofed house. I have been sheltering in a grass thatched hut for many years and it was collapsing. I was forced to seek for shelter from my neighbours whenever it rained. I could not afford to buy a single material at my own cost. I am at peace now having a nice house to stay with my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I was living in a grass thatched hut with no hope of upgrading to a better house. I could not afford to even renovate this hut despite it being in a bad state. When I received the transfer, I purchased enough building materials which include building poles, nails and iron sheets and built a decent iron roofed house. I spent the remaining amount to buy a heifer which I am currently keeping in my homestead. My expectation is that it will reproduce and increase in number. I can readily sell the offspring to help me in times of need.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to build another house because my current house is not spacious and it leaks during the rainy season. I will use 50,000 Kenya shillings to build a three roomed house which will also accommodate my visitors. I will also use 25,000 Kenya shillings to purchase a bed and mattress. The remaining amount will be used for my daily needs such as buying food and clothes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because this is the time I relax and listen to my favourite music from my small radio.Listening to music relieves me after a tiresome and stressful day in the farm.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is financial problems. As a farmer I usually move to different farms everyday searching for farming jobs.The income I get every month is 3,000 Kenya shillings which is not enough to sustain my daily needs as well as venturing in my projects.
