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 ($475 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have always wanted to have a source of water nearby for my family. I have been struggling all my life with walking long distances every morning to fetch water for use at home. Now that we are experiencing drought in our area, it is even worse. I walk more than 100 kilometers in such water. If I want to buy water, a twenty-liter jerrican goes for KSH 80, which is very expensive. I have always wanted to have a big water tank to store water and sell to others to earn a living from it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I can commend GiveDirectly in how they conduct their recipients search and how they deliver the information to we recipients. I also like how they followed up after giving us funds to use the money appropriately.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the money, I bought a big water tank that stores 100,000 liters of water. I built a raised structure for it. Now I am happy that I have it and waiting for the rainy season to be filled with water. I also spent the other amount on paying school fees for my children and also spent some on buying food for my family.
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 around 9 AM when I was preparing breakfast for my children when I heard a message tone come through my cell phone. Since I ma illetrate I asked my helper to check its contents. I was very happy to hear it was from GiveDirectly. I remember leaving whatever I was doing that morning and started celebrating together with all my family members. We knew that we would definitely achieve a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through the transfers, I was able to acquire a huge capacity water tank of 300litres. I have been longing to have it for years but I couldn't afford it because it was very expensive. has really changed my life. I consider this the best gift in my life becasue buying water every day from the dams is relatively expensive and very far (5KM) away from the village. I could always complain of back pains as a result of the several trips to and from the dams. I am now happy becasue I will no longer have to strain instead I will be harvesting the rainy water and store them for future use. In addition, because the water here is in high demand in my village, I can sell it to my neighbors at a small fee as another source of income. The money will empower me to cater to other household neds in good time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on paying college fees of KES 20000 for my son who is in his second year. I am glad he is now studying peacefully without any interference like before. Also, I bought a water tank of 3000litres at KES 20000 since the dams are very far from the village (5K) away. In addition, I bought a dairy cow at KES 10000 that will now be an asset to lean on in case of needs arises. With the remaining money of money bought foodstuffs for my family that would sustain us for a couple of days.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My son is yet to join form 3 next term. However, his stay in school has never been straight. My son is frequently sent out of school. Things have worsened since last year when my husband lost his job due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has put us in debts, to the extent that shylocks have been coming to our house to reposes some of our belongings in bid to repay their loans. Sometimes my husband is forced to hide whenever creditors come to check on him following a line of numerous received calls. This has put me and my husband in shame and we have totally lost respect in the eyes of our community. So, receiving this money means a continuity in education to my son. I will be able to clear his fee balance of 26000 Kenya shilling and also, prepay for the next year of his secondary study at least to its completion.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I start my day with preparing my children for school. Thereafter, I look for water for my home use. In the mid-morning, I embark on looking for casual jobs around, mostly hawking water for a pay. So, evening is the happiest part of my day because it's at this time that I rest, and also bless my children with food from the little earnings made during the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When I wake up early in the morning, I am obliged to look for water. Around my area, the nearest water point is almost 7 kilometers away. For fresh drinking water, we are forced to by a 20 litres jerican at a cost of 30 Kenya shilling from the boozers. With the distance, cost of the jerican, and also the scorching sun, it becomes difficult to make at least 3 trips a day. So, water scarcity is my biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
