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 ($459 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?
My new goal is to be able to expand my business of livestock selling and to be able to buy an improved dairy cow that will see us produce enough milk that we can consume some and sell surplus to meet other family's expenses. Right now we have just enough to feed the family and we remain with none to sell. I am also a livestock selling business man and I am grateful that the business was booster by GiveDirectly transfers. I even look forward to having it improve the more to earn us income and make our living standards better than it has always been.This I plan to do with the profits that I will get from the business that I currently run.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did well in everything but more importantly in making good their promise of sending us money and doing so unconditionally. Never before had we come across an organization that keeps their word like GiveDirectly did. We are so grateful to GiveDirectly for this.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 15000 to improve my goats selling business and used KES 26500 to buy goats for keeping.I used another KES 15000 to add my livestock for keeping and increase my living assets ownership. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me achieve all these things that I have achieved since I would not have achieved them anytime soon. The amount of income that I received from my business was just enough to feed my family and was left with very little to save and do such huge investments. Being a father of seven, I am facing a life full of responsibilities especially paying school fees for my children who will one day join secondary school. These investments are meant to help me prepare for payment of their school fees when that time comes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 6am when I woke up in the morning and while checking my phone I had received KES55000 overnight from GiveDirectly and I was very excited for the whole day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is building a modern spacious Iron-roofed semipermanent house which I couldn't afford to build for the past forty years due to poverty and alot of hardship in our area. I am also grateful because through the transfers I have adequate food for my family and we have grown healthier and happier. Before, I used to rely on livestock broking business and maize farming in order to sustain my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25000 on building a modern semi permanent house which is more spacious as compared to the two grass thatched houses I had before of which one was old, tiny and couldn't accommodate all of my family. I also spent KES 16000 on two goats as a source of milk, KES5000 on food and household items and KES2000 on school fees.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved housing. I have one grass-thatched house. My house tends to get smoky during cooking and it is uncomfortable to stay inside. So when I get this transfer I will use it to construct a more spacious house. I will spend KES 30000 of my transfer to construct it. I am passionate about business. I buy and sell goats during market days. So the remaining amount I will buy more goats to increase income and ensure sustainability. I anticipate that my business will grow and I will be able to meet my household needs like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two months ago we were blessed with a baby boy. This brought joy and happiness into my life since in our culture we value the delivery of a baby boy as it is a sign of continued lineage
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints. For us to meet our household need like buying food I have to go to the market. Market days are alternate and in different places. My profit varies from day to day mostly I get KES 400 per day. This money is not sufficient to meet all my needs. Mostly I spend on food and nothing to save to build a new house.
