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 ($435 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?
Earlier on before receiving these transfers, I had began digging a borehole but I wasn't able to have it completed yet due to lack of funds. Now that I am done with building the house and setting up my business, I would want to keep saving and have that project completed. This will ensure that I continue with my farming uninterrupted even when the rains are gone and also help the community by selling them water.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
After receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly, the living standards in every household in the village improved significantly. I am grateful that they provided us with an equal amount and the freedom to spend it as we saw fit in our households. Unlike material goods, monetary assistance allowed us to make informed spending decisions that had a direct impact on our daily lives. I have nothing to complain about after the entire process because GiveDirectly kept all of its promises.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I separated with my wife though I'm staying with my one child at home. I am also a farmer, I grow various kinds of vegetables and bananas as well for sale. I wanted to be able to take my produce to the market and also supply to other markets in various villages. To enable this, I bought a motor bike worth KES 40000. My house was also in a bad state and so I renovated it which costed me KES 10000 and also bought us beddings for KES 3000. I am happy that we have a nice shelter with my child. I am grateful that everything went as planned, and confident that all the projects I began will continue to improve our living conditions.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Receiving the transfers from Give Directly meant so much to me as I had been struggling financially. I received the money when I had no source of income, I had been searching for a stable job but nothing good was forthcoming. I received the money very early in the morning, I was so happy as I had not received such a huge amount of money from any charitable organization.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that transportation and deliveries of vegetables to the potential suppliers is now easier, I am able to reach a larger of clients within the shortest time possible with no delay.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I do subsistence farming for a living, whereby I mainly major in growing vegetables, I had to buy water for irrigation which used to be so costly. With the transfers I received, I used Kshs 10,000 to install a borehole within the farm which does not necessarily need alot of labour.
I used to supply vegetables to the suppliers like hotels and schools using public means of transport. This was so costly and took alot of time to deliver within a given time. I used the transfers to purchase a motorcycle worth Kshs 40,000.
I used the remaining balance of Kshs 5,000 to pay school fees for my son who is in class seven.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Self Employment has been my dream. people are different and I am the one person who doesn't like orders at work. I had started farming but with this drought, irrigation is the only way through. It has been difficult watering my vegetables hence I have only managed to cultivate a quarter of my farm. With the first transfer of 550000 KES, I can be able to buy a water pump, and a pipe for water spray, and in the long run, I can be able to add up to Two acres and hence have a reliable source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three years back I was living in a dark house with no light. one day a sales agent for D.light solar lighting was passing by so I decided to take one which I am now paying on credit. I am
happy that my house is lightened every night and I don't struggle with charging my phone as before.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a sustainable source of income is my biggest challenge, I have some needs to attend to, My house needs to be renovated, I don't have a bed to sleep on, etc. With money, getting this done is not a problem but currently, My produce is poor and cannot rely on as a source of income. The vegetables are drying up and this is my only source of income. I cannot, therefore, make ends meet with the little money I get.
