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 ($517 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?
If I could not have received the money from Give directly I could not have managed to put up a nice spacious house and I am sure I could still be staying in a squeezed house that I was staying before. I am glad I am now staying in a house where I am able to buy households and stay comfortably like other people. Besides that I can also pay school fees for my children and they are now attending school consistently with minimal interactions.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, it is impactful and beneficial to most of the people who have received the cash. Living standards have improved and many have been empowered to reach their goals. I sincerely cannot record any bad intention all I see is goodness.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my transfers, I did not hesitate but bought materials required for building my house as per the quotation that I was handed over by the constructor. I was very happy for I had lived in a small with for a long time and it was getting uncomfortable day by day as my children were growing old and need for privacy was creeping in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning the cow to me makes the biggest difference in my daily life since it will reproduce and have many of them. My expectation is to sell milk in the near future which to me will be a source of income. In addition, this cow is an asset to me, which I can lean on even in educating my children.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was very early in the morning when I saw a message notification on my phone. I could not believe my eyes it was the message from GiveDirectly confirming that I have received a sum of 55000 KES. I felt so happy because have never received such an amount of money before. My children also celebrated so much. I knew from that point that I will be in a position to fulfil my plans.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials which include iron sheets, building poles in order to construct an extension of a single room to my house. My desire was to see my children being accommodated in my own house. They were seeking shelter in the neighbourhood at night. I also bought a cow at KES 15000. I am hoping to sell milk soon that this cow will be producing and even as it reproduces and increases in number, I can sell the offspring to cater for some financial needs. I also paid KES 12000 for my child school fees to enable him to continue with his studies and spent the remaining amount to pay some household basic needs.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having a single roomed house that is supposed to accommodate my 5 children is quite impossible. This has forced 3 of them to seek shelter in our neighbour's house. I am not happy with this situation because I feel it is quite inconveniencing the owner. I also fear for their security because I am not aware of what takes place at night. Besides the house being small, the roof is also half thatched. This has made it unbearable during rainy seasons and it is common for us to wake up at night amidst waters. I therefore plan to build a better house that will have more space for my children. I will also start selling 'omena' in my village to earn income. This business will save me the agony of uprooting trumps to burn charcoal for a living.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I acquired an unknown sickness in 2015 that lasted for 2 years. I had actually given up on life when I received healing after salvation. It is through this sickness that I came to know how powerful God is. Since then I have been a happy person my entire life. I do not have a particular time when I am happy because I believe happiness comes from the Lord.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The lack of enough money to provide for my children is the biggest hardship that I am facing. My charcoal burning job earns me less than 1000 shillings a month. Being a second wife, my spouse has divided responsibilities and the much he can give us is 1500 a month. Getting three meals a day is a dream that has never come true in my family. It hurts me to see my children suffering but I cannot help the situation.
