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 ($442 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I got a new goal of bringing my house to completion. When I received my first and second transfer, I used the entire amount to build a new house for my family. The house however was not brought to completion since I ran short of money before I could cement the floor. It is for this reason that I am prioritizing cementing the floor of this house in order to make it warm and more permanent. I have a challenge in where I will get the funds needed but I am very optimistic that I will get the money finally and be able to bring it to completion.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did very well by giving us money without any conditions on how to spend the money. Had they given conditions then probably I would not have had an opportunity to build my own house. I feel so much happy and indebted to GiveDirectly for the support that I received from them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the entire transfer to build a new house. My wife and I have been living in a very small grass thatched hut that I always looked forward to building a better one. I did not have enough capacity to build a new one until we received support from GiveDirectly. This was so because we entirely depend on casual work and small scale farming to raise money needed for the basics in our home. Age is also fast catching up with us meaning we can no longer engage more in casual work. We are so thrilled that finally we have been able to build a timber walled house and that we are living a very comfortable life like any other well to do people in the society.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9am. I was just at home relaxing with my family. My son came and inform me that some of my neighbors has received the transfer. When my daughter check my phone. There was message was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. Everyone at home celebrated with lots of joy. I knew I would be able to build a better house. I live in a small grass thatched house. I am so grateful for the support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Building a better and spacious house is the biggest difference in my daily life. I used to live in a small grass thatched house which could not host all my family members comfortably. I had always wished to own a better house but I didn't had the money to buy the building materials. I depend on small scale farming and causal jobs in the village. This earns me small income which is only for household basic needs. Whenever I had visitors I used to host them outside. This was so demoralizing and stressful especially during the rainy season. When I received the transfer I felt so happy. I was able to buy iron sheets and timber. Currently the construction is on going. Yet to complete some few parts with the second transfer. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend half of the money to build a better and spacious house for my family. I live in a small grass thatched house which cannot host my family well. I build a small dam. This is where I get water for domestic uses at home. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has enabled us achieve our dream.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing for me. Currently, I live in a small grass-thatched house, which acts as the bedroom, kitchen, and living room. It is impossible to harvest any rainwater. I plan to build an iron-roofed house that will hopefully solve my water problem. I will not be going far to fetch water for my livestock and I will also get clean drinking water which is normally a problem to find. This will cost me KES 30,000. For the rest of the amount, I will buy a dairy cow as a way of investing this money as it will also earn me an income by selling milk produced.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day starts at six in the morning. I wake up, milk my cows and do some small farming if any. The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I am satisfied that my cow is well fed and I can milk. It makes me happy that I will earn an income that day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is a lack of finances. I lost my wife 18 yrs ago. She left me with nine children, some of whom were very young. I took care of them putting them through school and catering to their basic needs like food and clothing. Being a peasant farmer, it was very hard as most of the time we went without food. I have never had a chance to increase my assets and putting food on my table is still a challenge. Some of my children dropped out of school hence cannot find any meaningful employment and the poverty cycle is repeated. This is sad for any parent.
