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 ($526 USD)
access_time over 4 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 different than how it would have been had I never received my transfer because I have been able to build a decent and spacious house for my family. The one we had was small and could not accommodate us comfortably. Due to this, I am now comfortable receiving my visitors since I know that they will have a place to sleep well unlike before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in their work since they were very fair in their enrollment process and I do not see anything that they did not well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer to finish building a house for my family. I had started building it using the first transfers but left it uncompleted as I had ran short of money. Also, I spent some amount to build a chicken coop. This is because I had started keeping some children and I would always find my kitchen in a mess in the morning since I usually locked them there at night. I spent the remaining amount to buy food and clothes for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time 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 am now happier compared to how I was before. This is because when I got married, my in-laws had to seek shelter at our neighbor's house so that my husband and I would live in the house they used to sleep in. This always made me feel that I had inconvenienced them as they no longer had their privacy. Being able to build a spacious house for my family to allow my brother in-laws to sleep in our previous house has made me be contented with what I have.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I became so happy the moment I realized that GiveDirectly had sent us the promised money. This money gave me hope that I would soon achieve my aim of building a decent house for my family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfer, I spent part of it to buy some building materials majorly iron sheets, timber, nails and also paid a mason for the work of constructing a spacious house for my family and also a kitchen. I had been living in a one-room house that could not accommodate us comfortably. Also, this was a family house which my husband used to share with his brothers before we got married. I am now glad since I have been able to leave my previous house for my brother in-law who used to sleep at our neighbor's house. I used the remaining amount to buy some foodstuffs and decent clothes for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I got married about four years ago, my husband inherited my parent's house so we could have a place to stay. When we heard about GiveDirectly cash transfer program in our village we were elated that finally we can get to build a house of our own using the transfer. I am happy that in the next month we would have began construction of our new house in our allotted piece of land, thanks to GiveDirectly. This brings to an end my constant worry of living as caretaker in my mother in law's house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband is a hardworking person. Every evening he sits with me to plan the following day's work in our farm,which makes me happy. This way we always achieve so much because of a coordinated undertaking of activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When I sat for my national secondary education exam in 2014 I was certain of a good grade. I sure got a good grade and got an admission letter to join Kisii University the following year. The opportunity to follow my dreams of becoming a teacher did not materialize due to lack of funds. I got married in 2016 but I am still alive to the dream of going to university one day. However, I do not have any source of income neither does my husband. My worry is that my potential may waste away in the village without having ever been unlocked due to financial impediment. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
