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 ($421 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently want to invest in rental properties. On my one acre parcel of property at the trading center, I plan to build some rental homes. I was able to use the first transfer to purchase this plot. After seeing the potential of my property and that properly maintained rental properties do not disappoint in terms of income generation, I came up with this concept. I have been saving money for that, but I intend to borrow money from a financial institution where I have been saving money in order to achieve my aim.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly performs a good job of accepting all households without restriction into their program. Providing assistance in the form of unrestricted cash was a fantastic and novel choice. The officers were also very courteous and professional throughout the enrolling process. According to me, everything went smoothly and there was nothing they could have done better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I chose to spend $380 for a used motorbike because I didn't have any other regular income than making charcoal. I use the motorcycle to transport clients from one location to another for business needs. I am overjoyed that I now have a source of income. In addition, because of the great distance between my house and the water point, it helps me gather some water. To get the water at first, I had to pedal a bicycle, which was really exhausting. Thereafter, in order to provide my family of six with food security at home, I spent $70 on a sack of maize. I spent $35 on a mattress because I didn't have one and was sleeping on empty cartons. I'm glad that, in contrast to before, I can now sleep soundly and comfortably. I set aside the remaining money for my family's usage after spending $30 on my three primary school-aged children's tuition.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at my house relaxing when at 8 a.m, I heard a message notification come in. I got curious and when I checked my phone, I realised that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and could not wait to start building a new house for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This cash transfer has truly changed my family's living conditions. Before receiving the money, we lived in an old house that had many cracks. I would constantly worry about the safety of my wife and two children, especially during the rainy season. I thought the house would fall into pieces any time. Because I am unemployed, I had no source of income and therefore no money to build another home.
This transfer, however, has changed all this. It has enabled me to build a modern, spacious, two-bedroom house. I have peace of mind, knowing that my family has a decent place to lay their heads.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Because of financial instability, my family lived in an old house that had a lot of cracks and almost falling apart. It was a sad situation to be in, especially since the safety of my wife and two children was at stake. I am unemployed and therefore had no money to build another house. This is why I spent KES 34,000 of the transfer on the construction of a new house. This amount catered for the cost of building materials such as bricks, iron sheets, timber, and labour too. I also spent KES 20,000 on acquiring two oxen, that I can use to work on people's farms and get paid. It's amazing how helpful this transfer has been to our family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting livestock farming. This is because, I usually depend on charcoal burning business that earns me less than $6 a day. I have a family of four children and my wife. Two are attending school and the others are still young. These children are depending on me as the breadwinner. However, due to poverty and lack of a better job, meeting their basic needs has really been very difficult. I intend to use the first cash transfer from GiveDirectly to buy three dairy cows that will cost me approximately $450. This will help me to start selling milk in the village to improve the health of young children who most of them suffer from malnutrition. This will help me earn an income and at the same time, impact the lives of other people in the village. I will then use the second cash transfer to renovate my house and construct one more room for my children at a cost of $200 and use the remaining amount for food and other basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening. This is because, I usually leave very early in the morning to do charcoal burning in the forest and sell. I then come home in the evening very tired. At this time, I get time to rest and refresh myself as I prepare to face the following day. I also have an opportunity to meet my family. Having time to interact, cook and eat together with them brings joy to my heart.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest challenge that I have ever faced in my life. I have no source of a stable income that I can depend on. Currently, I depend on charcoal burning business which is illegal, but because it is the only job opportunity I have, I have no otherwise but to do it. Again, this business earns me less that $6 a day which is not enough to meet the needs of my family. Having a family of four children who depend on me has never been easy to meet their basic needs, considering two of them are attending school. My wife also is jobless, so I am the sole breadwinner for the family. I will be glad to receive cash transfers from GiveDirectly so that my life can change.
