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
55000 KES ($477 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 seeing how beneficial the first and second transfers were to me, I developed a goal that I desire to accomplish once I get some money. If I get the money I aim to build more rental houses since I have discovered that this business is long-term and is an assured business that one gets an income at every month's end.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a life-uplifting organization that equips people to be independent. Initially, things were not working well on my side but from the day I received the unconditional transfer, I opted to start a rental business which has now turned out to be the backbone of my family. Unlike before, I now have an income-generating activity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I had constructed some rental houses using the first transfer, upon receiving the second I decided to buy and fix burglary doors to the houses. I used KES 30000.00 to buy three burglary doors for security purposes. Thereafter I used KES 20000.00 and applied for some water from the Kilifi Water and Sewage Company (KIWASCO). The presence of water at the rental houses will attract more tenants because most rental houses do not have sources.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As I was getting prepared to go to the field to make charcoals for sale at around 8am, I received a message in my phone. Though I do not know how to read, I mastered the M-pesa messages and I know how to interpret them. Therefore I checked my phone and realized that I had received KES 55000.00. The fact that I did not know from where the money was from I just linked the amount with the promise we were given by the GiveDirectly staff hence got the picture of where the money was coming from. I felt so happy to an extent of not going to the field yet I was preparing to go.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since my main source of income was the charcoals which are not reliable, I can now raise my head high because of GiveDirectly. They have aided me to have a long-term and lasting source of income. These rental houses will be a steady source of income for my family and I am sure I will be able to raise my hand to the places I was unable due to lack of funds once the business peaks well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before GiveDirectly, I had bought a piece of land where my plan was to construct some rental houses but money was the biggest challenge. I therefore decided to start the construction knowing that this is a long-term investment. I bought 24 pieces of iron sheets for KES 21600.00, building poles for 10000.00 and also paid KES 2700.00 school fees for my 5 primary school children. The remaining amount aided me in paying for the labour charges for the construction work.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Some years back I bought 4 plots 50 by 100 in the nearby town. My husband is a masonry, receiving this money means I can build one rental house. I can rent the rooms for KES 1000 per month and this will help me save and build another rental house. These rental houses can help me educate my kids and sustain my well being.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In my compound, I rear chicken one hen laid fifteen eggs and was able to hatch them all. Feeding them every morning gives me joy knowing I can sell them anytime and slaughter for a visitor.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With the prolonged drought many trees wilted, we are unable to cut down from charcoal burning. This has challenged me, we used to get five bags of charcoal before the drought. Currently, I have to dig stumps to use for charcoal burning and end up getting one bag of charcoal. This cannot sustain all my family's needs.
