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
53150 KES ($492 USD)
access_time almost 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 different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I now have some assets that I can rely on in case of financial challenges. I was able to buy three goats using my second transfer and since their gestation period is shorter, they will increase in number over a short period of time. With this, I can easily sell one and use the money to pay school fees for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by helping the needy people in the society and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 from my transfer to pay school fees for my daughter in the university. I decided on this since they were almost starting their examinations and I had not cleared her fee arrears. In addition, I bought three goats worth KES 15,000 as a way of saving this money. Since they increase in number quickly over a short period of time, they will come in handy when I am faced with financial challenges. Also, I used almost KES 15,000 to build a house for my children. I settled in this so that they would not be moving around the neighborhood looking for a place to sleep. I spent the remaining amount on food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 1 pm and I was from my daily hustle when I saw the message and I was very excited and I rushed home to tell my family members and they were also excited. The next morning we went out to shop.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Food has been a big issue in my home and when I received the transfer, it helped me buy food such that I only stock for more and there is no more pressure of having to think of what to eat on every single day. We also have nice seats to sit on right now as we used to sit on benches or tree stumps in my house. I am so grateful for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought seats for my house and built a house. I also bought one bag of maize for my family and bought clothes for my household members .
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a daughter at the university. Besides, two of my children are beginning their secondary school education next year. As a a family that depends on subsistence farming for sustenance, educating our children is a tough challenge. Precisely, we always struggle to meet our basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter. As such, receiving this money means that our children shall continue pursuing their dream courses and have ample study time since I will pay school fees on time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part my day is in the evening when I am sharing a meal with my family. Providing and feeding my relatively large family of over 8 members is my primary role as a parent. Hence, ensuring that each one of us is satisfied makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced in life is the continued inadequacy of food in our household. Specifically, we always struggle to get some food because that is one of the most pressing and unavoidable concern in our family. As such, we have made no significant developments since we use all our income on meeting such basic needs. As a subsistence farmer, we are experiencing poor yields from our farms due to climate change.
