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
55000 KES ($484 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?
"Being a single mother of one daughter, life was never easy. We have been surviving from hand to mouth income. Therefore, when I learnt that I would receive transfer worth KES 110,000 in two installment, I thought of buying cattle for the family. I have dreamt of owning cattle.This is because I believed this would be the perfect investment for me. I believe one day there would be a multiplication of what I have invested since I would get additional free milk for the family. I also desired to expand my current business. I have been selling pancakes and 'maandazi'. I have been making pancakes and 'maandazi' then distribute them to the nearest shop where I would collect the funds afterwards. I also saw it as a good opportunity to buy more stock for the Business."
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
"I am a satisfied recipient of GiveDirectly. This can be reflected with the current state of life am living. Who ever thought of seeing a single mother owning livestock??. I am the happiest soul ever in my lineage. Whoever fails to see the work of GiveDirectly must be suffering from some problems. GiveDirectly has done a very good job in the community of Mafuye. GiveDirectly has improved the life of the less prevelege in the community. Many now owns land, home and livestock in our village. We are so happy with GiveDirectly services . Our children has got the opportunity to quench their thirst for education as well. Thank you GiveDirectly."
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
"For the longest time I have never touch over KES 50,000 in my hand. Receiving this transfers was a dream true. I have been surviving on small business. The income I received from my daily hustle was never enough. My heart glimpsed with joy at the confirmation of the cash receipt worth KES 53150. I knew it was time to accomplish that which I had desired to achieve in my life. I bought two cows and four goats totalling to KES 40,000. I used KES 5,000 to add more stock for my business. The remaining KES 8,000 I bought sachets of maize and food shopping for the family."
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 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 exactly 9 am when I was in my house busy preparing breakfast for my family. I had left my phone in the bedroom after completing the morning chore, I decided to check it. Joy filled my heart after realizing that I had received my transfer. I was so excited for receiving the transfer that marked the beginning of a great transformation of my life for the better. I had to wait for my husband to return home to inform him about the good news. He was very happy after he learned that we had received the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning livestock has been the biggest difference in my life. This is because I had wished to start livestock rearing as an investment for my kid's education. Previously, I was jobless and I had aspired to start rearing livestock to supplement my husband's earnings from his traditional house construction job.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 27,000 to start livestock rearing by purchasing one local dairy cow and two goats. This is a future investment for the family, especially the education for my kids. I will be able to sell milk to support their education once they multiply. In addition, I used KES 14,000 to purchase proper beddings for my family. This is because we were sleeping in the same bed with my 3 children which were very small. Furthermore, I supported my kid's education by paying their school fee arrears of KES 2000, similarly, I bought a new pair of uniforms for each of them. The remaining amount assisted me in acquiring enough food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am married to a polygamous family with four kids. With my first transfer, I will buy ten goats and two cows to rear as a future investment for my kids. The cattle can multiply and this will help me pay school fees for their secondary education. I will then use my last transfer to renovate my house to a decent one.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two months ago we had a wedding in our compound. It was the first wedding since the covid-19 pandemic hit. Wearing masks for the bride and groom was a unique wedding to me. I was happy to finally see people I had not seen since I was married into this compound.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In my village getting clean water to drink is a problem. We used dam water which is 7 kilometers away from my compound. We are highly affected by water-borne diseases from the dam water. This makes me take my kids to hospitals often. Paying for their medical bills is always a challenge.
