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
53075 KES ($523 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had two children in secondary school and at the same time, both my spouse and I didn't have a reliable source of income to sustain us. We were therefore forced to stay in a small rental house near our homestead after the previous house fell because we couldn't afford the cost of building materials. If it wasn't for GD I would still be staying in a rental house but I'm happy through GD transfers I was able to construct a bigger and decent house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GD does well by giving people cash and letting them decide on how to spend it. This has helped a lot of people because each and everyone knows what they lack thus giving them cash is better than giving people goods or services.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
My child had stayed home for three days due to lack of school fee, I, therefore, decided to pay the arrears with part of the second transfer so that he could go back to school and catch up with his studies. In addition to that, I had broken and not so good looking seats which were embarrassing because anytime one sat on them they could fall or make a funny sound. I then decided to buy decent furniture with part of the money. Apart from that my mother-in-law has been unwell and at that time she was scheduled for brain scan so I used some of the money to facilitate the process. In addition to that, I spent the remaining amount to food for my family which will last us for a while.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have a decent house since previously I was living in a pathetic grass thsched one.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt very happy because I knew that I would accomplish my dreams.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on building a house since I had a grass thatched one which could leak during rainy seasons and kept the remaining amount as savings which I intend to use in purchasing seats since I have two outdated ones.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to purchase a parcel of land back in my rural home. Afterwards, I plan to construct my own house so that I manage to move from the rental house that I am currently living in.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when my children come back from school. Their presence in the house fills me with so much joy when i see them playing around, telling me stories and even assisting me with some household chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I am facing is not having a stable source of income. Both my husband and I are casual labourers and the jobs that we do don't generate sufficient income. This has made it difficult for me to be able to afford paying rent consistently, pay school fees for my children and even buy food to feed them three meals a day or even provide for them a balanced diet. This stresses me a lot since I feel that I am failing to set a good example to them as a parent on how they should be responsible parents too in future.
