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 ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After planning for the second transfer, I developed a goal of goat keeping. This is my vision that, once I get some money I will venture into a business of buying, raring and selling goats. I prefer goats to cows because they mature faster and they have ready markets since their value is lower compared to cows hence most people can afford.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization did so well on my side. Before, I was just relying on making and selling charcoal which was not a reliable source of income. My family and I used to sleep hungry for a number of days but since the day GiveDirectly sent us the transfer, our lives have changed. We can now access food not as before; and by the virtue of the rescue that we got from GiveDirectly, I am seeing this organization faultless instead it is of good will.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Getting the second transfer was like a miracle that came to rescue us from starving. Drought was having no mercy on us, and when I received the money I saw some light or my family which I was much stranded not knowing what to do since I had no source of income. Upon withdrawing the money I only used KES 10000.00 to buy four goats and used the remaining amount of money in buying food for the family up-to-date.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being a housewife, I was on my way going home from fetching water at the only water point in the village. It is 3 hours journey to and from, I remember It was around 10 o'clock when I received the Mpesa message notification. Upon reaching home, I call my helper to confirm the Sms on my phone. He informed me that I had received my transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt very glad for receiving my transfer that will change my life for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the I am now living a better life, I am no longer have to worry about meeting my needs especially providing food for my family. Previously, I had to struggle doing casual activities of charcoal burning in order to get food for my family. Sometimes we could sleep without taking food, seeing my kids sleeping without food bothered my mind as a parent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 22,000 to purchase a local daily cow that is about to give birth. This is a long-term investment for my family, I will be having a steady supply of milk for my family as well as able to sell some liters to earn a living. Similarly, I am planning to sell the offspring to cater for any financial emergency. I also supported my daughter's small food outlet by investing KES 5000 into her business. I also bought proper beddings for my family previously the ones that we were using are sacks that were not comfortable to sleep on. I was feeling backache every morning after bed. I used the remaining amount on food since we are experiencing famine in our area.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Over the years, I have had a dream to own livestock, preferably crossed cattle. I envy someone who has a herd of cattle, he/she takes them for herding. I sometimes request such people to allow me graze the cows so that in exchange, I can be offered at least one, but all these pleas have been fruitless. Also, my culture respect people who atleast own a cow. Being a value for money, receiving this money means a restoration of my dignity in the village as I will be able to own crossed cows.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening. It's at this time when my only daughter who is now married but works and stays in town, gets the opportunity to call me. Talking to my daughter at this time makes my day as she is the only one I was blessed with.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am the second wife to my husband. When I was married to my lovely husband, all was rosy until when it was time to get pregnant. I developed womb problems and whenever I carried one, I miscarried. This delay made me become a laughing stock in the village. My husband was jobless, he had no money to take me to better health services. I resorted to taking traditional herbs which fortunately, helped me to carry pregnancy to maturity. I was blessed with a baby girl whom I named Bahati (Fortune). Thereafter, I have never managed to get another child. This has been the biggest hardship I've ever faced in my life.
