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 ($492 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 currently different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because if it was not for the money I would still be rained on whenever it rains. The previous house was in a worse condition, it was not different from staying in open air. The door was not lockable, had a leaking roof leaking and the a bigger part of the wall had fallen off.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion Give Directly does a good job by giving out unconditional cash. It really helped most people especially those who had lost hope in life. They have improved their lives. On the other hand ,they do not need to improve on any area since they are doing a great job.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a bigger portion of the second transfer on goats for rearing. Goats give birth at least twice a year and I believe by the end of the year I will have a good number of them. Later when my child who recently sat for primary national examinations will get to secondary school I will raise his school fee from the goats.
A portion of the money I spent on some of the households like bedding. The previous one was small but we still had to squeeze on it.
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 saw an Mpesa message early in the morning in my phone. On checking who could have sent the money, I realised it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy now that I would build a new house for my family.
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 iron roofed house with my children. My previous house was very small and was in a bad state. Its roof was dilapidated and leaking whenever it rained. Through the transfer, I managed to build the new house. I bought pieces of iron sheets, building poles, nails and timber to facilitate its construction. Had I not received this financial support, I would still be living in that shanty old house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My previous house was small and leaking during rains. It was very small and could not accommodate my children. When I received the transfer, I bought building materials such as iron sheets, building poles and nails for the construction of a new house. I am happy that my new house is now complete. I also invested this cash in buying five goats. I am keeping these goats so that as they reproduce in the near future, I can readily depend on them in case of a financial need. Lastly, I also bought an ox-plough to use with the pair of oxen to plough my farm.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My first plan when I receive this money is repairing my house. Part of the roof is made of twigs and when it rains there is a lot of leakage. This will cost me 200 USD. I will then buy two oxen at a cost of 150 USD each and a plough at 80 USD. This will help me plough my 3 acres of land well and easily. I will also use part of the money to pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because I am usually done with the day's activities. This gives me peace of mind and a time to relax after a day of hard work in the sun.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of enough income to satisfy my family's needs. I depend on casual jobs to get money. The jobs are physical and rare to find. I have a problem with my stomach which a doctor recommended that I should not do energy draining jobs. This has really affected my income. I now stay at home most of the times doing less physical jobs.
