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.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
48200 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 7 years ago
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What did you spend your third transfer on?
I spent my third transfer on purchasing 2 cows to aid me in the payment of my wife's dowry. It's been a big challenge living illegally with the spouse as luo customs demanded that a man must pay pride price before settling with a woman for a marriage. Honestly, I couldn't afford this and thus had to stay in a rental house far away from home where the lady's parents could not trace us and take away their daughter.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has greatly changed with the transfers from GiveDirectly. Am very happy today that I no longer suffer from the guilt of an illegal marriage. More to that, I feel so proud that I have obeyed the Luo customs and traditions.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has proved to be the best NGO have ever seen. The manner in which it's recipients are handled motivates one to partake the program. Am very proud to be a participant.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time 8 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfer to buy 30 iron sheets and other construction materials in readiness to construct my house. The remaining amount was spent on paying bride price for my wife.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Since I paid the bride price, we have had peace in the family as the tension on when this was going to be done has gone away. We are also happy that we will have our own house once it is complete and stop paying rent for a house at the nearby market center.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
10000 KES ($99 USD)
access_time 8 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the first cash transfer to buy timber 6500 KES, shoes for my wife 700 and the remaining amount i shopped food for my family 2800 KES.
What are you planning to spend your upcoming transfer on?
I am planning to spend the upcoming transfer to build a house that can fit my family and i because right now am leaving in a rental house that i pay 800 KES monthly and its really expensive.
Enrolled
access_time over 8 years ago
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
We are planning to spend our transfer on round poles, iron sheets, nails and labour, in order that we may build our own house and move out of the rented house where we're currently staying. We are planning to spend the rest of the transfer to buy essential household items which we lack.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The achievement I am proudest of is taking care of my young family, even through tough times, like when there isn't enough food in the house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is being crippled and not having any meaningful work. There's very little I can do, and so it's my wife who most of the time has to fend for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening, when we're all gathered around the dinner table for our evening meal.
