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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different than how it would have been because for all those years I have been in marriage I have been living in a very small house with a single room. As my family grew it was even worse because it could no longer accommodate us. However, my children had to seek shelter from their friends, and sometimes we were forced to squeeze in some house for some reason. It is now a big relief to me and my family for having such a big house that can accommodate us all and we can even host our visitors. Also, the few goats that I purchased have started reproducing and gives me hope that I will have many of them in a short period of time making me wealthier.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I can confidently admit that GveDirectly did a splendid job in my village. This is becasue each one of us was allowed to go for whatever he or she would wish to purchase. This made some of us to different assets in our households and it has made us proud.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying two goats at KES 7200. As casual labor, I had dreamt of at least own a long asset that I can always lean on but becasue they were very expensive I couldn't afford them considering my income. To add to that, I cleared school fees for my stepson who just finished his secondary school education, and left a huge fee balance. I settle it so that he could be given his certificate. Also, with the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuff for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was preparing breakfast for my family when my phone started ringing continuously. Without hesitating I decided to check who it could be. I felt so happy after confirming that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I definitely knew that I will accomplish all my dreams.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having goats in my compound has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. I am planning to start a business selling the offsprings once they are mature enough to the nearby markets. Also, whenever I get a problem or an emergency, I will always sell one or two goats and sort whatever issue that is bothering me. In addition to that, I believe my children will no longer be sent home for fees as they used to since I will now be having the means to pay in time from the business of selling the offsprings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials which include, iron sheets, timber, nails, and building poles. This was for the construction of a new house since the previous one was very small it could not accommodate some of my family members. Apart from that, I bought some livestock ie goats. This will be the living assets that I can lean on in case of any financial crisis. With the remaining amount of money, I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a village where owning an iron-roofed house is a luxury and I have ever wished to have one to be accorded the respect that people with such houses are given. When I heard about GiveDirectly's cash grants, my dream of owning a spacious iron-roofed house started to become real due to the unconditionality of the money. The priority once I receive this money is to spend utmost of $350 to construct the house and this will have a boost in realizing my dream. On the other hand, I also plan to start livestock keeping to have a long term project that will assist me to sort out any emergency in the future. To start with, I will buy 10goats for $30 each. All this will have a positive change to my livelihood and eventually, a happy life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The nature of my work of charcoal burning is best done at a time when solar energy is low and this means spending my morning and some evening hours doing this. The afternoon becomes my resting moment because I usually spend it at home relaxing something that re-energizes me a lot. Therefore, the afternoon is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Ever since I was married about 13 years now, charcoal burning has been the source of income for my family. Considering the nature of this job which is very tiresome, and also, its income is low, meeting the family's basic needs like food, good shelter, and paying school fees has been a challenge, and if it means trying to sort them, borrowing from my relatives becomes the option. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
