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 ($436 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I did not manage to complete all the works on my house and so there is some finishing work to do which I hope to accomplish this year when I get the money since the transfers were not enough to cob all the costs but it did substantial work. I was able to complete the main house but my kitchen is still not in good shape and it worries me a lot. I will do whatever it takes to be able to complete it sometimes this year.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
All the stages were well explained to us by the highly trained Give Directly staff, they explained everything to us in detail, they are so passionate about their job, they never had a hurry not rushed in their explanation. I was so satisfied with the way they handled me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am so elated that the transfers assisted me a great deal to improve on my housing condition. I was able to change the condition of my house, I replaced the mud wall with sand and also cemented the floor. I used KES 50000 and it has given my house a facelift. I no longer have to worry about the difficult job of smearing with cow dung which is a lot of work that I am no longer able to do it well because of my old age. Iused the rest to buy food for household consumption.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I don't Know how to read and write, Therefore, I depend on my son to translate the text that I receive on my phone. The moment I received my transfer, I was at home relaxing when suddenly, I heard my phone ringing. I knew that it was a message ringtone but I could not comprehend what it was about. When My son came, I asked him to check out the text, That was when he broke the good news that I had received the promised transfer, I was overwhelmed with joy because I knew that I would be able to accomplish my goal. Since my son was my helper, I engaged him to cash out the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving money from GiveDirectly has been of a great impact on my daily life. This is because in my old age I was able to construct a decent and spacious house. It has been my dream for a long time but I was unable to realise it due to financial constraints. I am forever grateful for the support that gave me an opportunity for me to improve my living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I opted to renovate my house from a mud house to brick walls. I was unable to achieve this before due to financial constraints. I depend on my children for upkeep since I am no longer energetic to work because of my medical condition. Therefore, I used all of my transfers in renovating my house into a better one. I am so happy that finally, my dream of owning a decent house came to light.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved housing. I am economically inactive. I have been suffering from arthritis thus I do light chores only. My house is made of mud walls and due to my condition, I no longer have the strength to repair it. It has been my ambition to plaster the wall with concrete and cement the floor for easy cleaning. By doing so, I will be able to get rest without being affected by dust since I am asthmatic. So when I receive this transfer I will spend KES 80000 to purchase the materials needed and labor cost.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite my poor health condition what brings joy and happiness into my life is my children. They have never gotten tired of helping me, especially in terms of finances. I go for check monthly thus need money and moral support and my children have given me that. They are my source of motivation to keep fighting to get well.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is my health condition. I have several health problems which have rendered me economically inactive. Most of the time I depend on my children to fend for me and pay for costly medication. Sometimes I feel I have burdened them yet they also have their families to fend for. I do not have medical insurance cover and when I get sick sometimes I have to sell my livestock to get money and yet these livestock have been my livelihood.
