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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes. I have a new goal which is to construct a house. I am currently staying with my stepmother, and I am a mother of two. Thanks to the Give Directly I have already bought a piece of land. What is left now is to look for ways of raising money to construct a house so that my children can have a place they call home. As a grown-up, I will be more independent once I have a home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly is doing a good job by giving people money with no strings attached. I must admit that through the support from them, most peoples' lives have improved.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a piece of land sometimes back but I had only paid for a quarter of it. When I received my transfers I paid for part of it with the first transfers and used KES 30000 of the second transfer to clear the remaining balance. I am currently staying with my step mum together with my two children. Knowing that we now have a place where we shall construct a home makes me so proud. KES 12000 I spent on both farm labor and seeds which I used while I was planting. I also bought a dairy goat at KES 8500 for rearing hoping that in the future once it has given birth then I will not only have an additional goat but milk too for my family consumption. KES 3000 I spent on both foodstuffs and clothes for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was busy taking my morning tea at around 9am when I received the transfers. I was overwhelmed with joy and even lost appetite for tea because I had never received such a lump sum.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness because the transfers have enabled buy own dairy cows which I couldn't afford before and would buy milk daily which was quite costly. The transfers have also enabled me to expand my cereals and vegetable business hence more income for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on a dairy cow and a heifer as sources of milk and income for my family in the near future. Initially, I didn't have a dairy cow hence would buy milk daily using the proceeds from my cereals and vegetable business.I spent the rest on addition of my business stock, maize seeds and on the latest clothing fashion.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This transfer has come at a time when I need it. Mine has been a difficult path. I have been through ups and downs. I am a single parent of two girls and I depend on myself. I used to study a certificate course in Community health at Eldoret Technical Training Institute. My education was cut short as a result of my pregnancy, I came home to give birth and I have never resumed since then because my parents refused to pay for my tuition fee anymore. I feel that I have been a burden and a disgrace to my parents. My plan is to enrol back to Chebunyo Technical Institute to study hairdressing so that I can become self-employed. It will cost me KES 80000 to complete the whole course. I will use the rest of the finance to buy a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As the day breaks, I attend to my two children. I prepare them for school then go to attend my grocery shop. People normally buys towards lunchtime at around noon and late in the evening. My happiest part of the day is in the evening when I have had a successful day of making sales.The more the sales the happier I become.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Life has never been easy. I depend on myself to fend for my family. I engage myself in a small grocery shop where I sell vegetables. The income I get is meager and can hardly support my family. Being a single parent is like a curse, I feel unwanted and dejected. The financial inadequacy to meet my needs has been my biggest problem.
