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 ($467 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?
After spending all the money I had received according to the plans that my household had, I have a new goal of establishing a poultry project. I have been rearing some chicken but the lack of a well-constructed coop and a poor feeding program has led to their unproductivity. I hope to soon construct a good chicken house and usher in better layers that can I can collect eggs daily that will, in turn, pay household bills.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
With all the changes witnessed in our village, everyone is happy that GiveDirectly brought such a huge change in their lives. At the moment, no one is complaining at all but thankful for the generous support that we wish would keep moving from village to village until everyone gets a share.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After the struggle to complete the construction of the new house from the first transfer that was so hard, the final stages of furnishing extended to the second transfer since I still had to purchase new pieces of furniture that included chairs and tables at KES 6500. I also had to invest in livestock by buying two sheep each at KES 5000. This will be useful in the future while raising school fees for my three children. I spent the remaining amount on buying clothing worth KES15000 for my family, school fees for the three children worth KES 3000, and the remaining on facilitating the labor charges on the construction of our new house that we are happy to have moved into at the moment.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 10.00 am after I came back from fetching water when I realized that GiveDirectly had sent the promised money. To me, this was a life-changing opportunity and my heart was filled with joy. This money gave me hope that I would be able to build a more spacious, decent house for my family. I informed my spouse who was out to look for some casual work since we needed to go and withdraw the same day in order to start the construction process.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is the newly constructed house which is spacious and decent. I had not been able to achieve this before because I didn't have a reliable source of income and receiving the transfer enabled me to achieve this within a short period. I am now a happy person and I feel at the same level as other people in our village and I am particularly grateful to GiveDirectly as they have lifted my living standard to a better and higher level in my society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 37000 to build a more spacious house for my family and KES 2000 to buy a table since I did not have one. I used to live in a small grass-thatched house and I knew that with time, I would need a bigger house where my children would have their separate room to sleep in for privacy purposes. In addition to this, I spent KES 5000 on food to last my family for some time, the same amount on clothes and saved KES 2000 in my account after using KES 3000 to pay school fees for my children who had been sent back home.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a grass-thatched house together with my four family members. Being a single room house, my privacy has been limited since the room acts as a kitchen, sitting, and bedroom at the same time. Our sleeping condition is unfavorable since I am unable to purchase comfortable beddings. Additionally, I buy milk regularly from my neighbor. Receiving this money means that I will be able to build a spacious house worth 45,000 shillings. I intend to use the remaining amount to buy proper beddings + one dairy cattle to supplement my family with milk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After I am done with my usual household chores, I go to my farm to carry out farming activities until lunchtime. I have grown maize, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon after taking lunch and later rest as I reflect on my successes for the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is living in a single-room house thatched with grass. All the household activities are carried out in one place I.e cooking, sitting, and sleeping. Sometimes when we have a heavy downpour, the house leaks and this creates an uncomfortable environment for my family. At times when I have visitors, they are unable to prolong their stay since I do not have space for them to sleep. This has brought about a bad image for me in the surrounding community. I hope and pray that one day I will have the means to overcome all these.
