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
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
What I am striving to accomplish in the near future, is my starting a new business. I have always wanted a hardware business, specialising in plumbing fittings. This would be a much needed injection of funds for my family and also a means of self employment. I also want to get 10 acres or so of land to farm and keep chicken and goats on, for sale.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Needless to say it, they made my dreams come true! They allowed me to complete my home and improve the quality of life of my family. All I would ask is that they continue to bless others, and if possible, to think of offering a third transfer, to help complete and Further some of the works they allowed recipients to start.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Prior to receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly, I had began a construction project, and the money was immediately used to buy iron sheets for roofing. Along with that, framing timber was also needed and catered for by the same transfers from GiveDirectly. This greatly improved the quality of life for my wife, two kids , as well as My stay at home wife who looks after my eldest, she is in PP1 at Ganze Primary School, and our second born who is 1 month old, while I go to work as a security guard(working in shifts-day or night) and earning KES. 20,000 per month. My income and my family's needs didn't leave much for development, since recurring expenses like school fees of KES. 1,600 monthly for my eldest, added to countless others small expenses, meant no savings were made. GiveDirectlys transfers were a welcome relief for us as a family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($480 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being a soldier and not quite expecting the incentive from GiveDirectly this soon, it came as a pleasant surprise for my family and I. I was just from the market when I received the MPESA message and my joy was widely met with a great smile since I could not contain it. I was able to place the funds into different projects as I planned and did the withdrawal two weeks later.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The funds have enabled me to build a house and take care of our home in the best way possible and all thanks to the help from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly and was able to plan building my own house where I set aside KES 39000 purchasing first iron sheets for roofing. The balance of KES 16000 was spent on nail bindings and buying of pesticide to disinfect the whole house. Being the breadwinner and a parent to one lovely kid, GiveDirectly has surely ensured I am able to take care of our home.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to complete the project that I started in March 2020. I work as a watchman in a girl school here in the village whereby the salary that I earn is not enough to feed and at the same time save to do finishing off my house. For this reason, I intend to use seventy thousand Kenya shillings to put roofing, window, and doors, forty-one thousand Kenya shillings to purchase cement to floor the house this will be like dream come true in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In November 2020 l got the opportunity of visiting my inlaws. After five years of marriage, I was able to pay half of the dowry for my wife. This brought me joy and I felt safe at the same time since I was permitted to live with her.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a watchman in Ganze girls just walking distance from home and whatever I get just cater for the needs of the family of three. I completed form four in 2008 in which I stayed home for six years before I joined college. Luckily, I got a sponsor from a neighborhood that took me to college. I thanked almighty for that opportunity and without wasting time I began the course. Sadly after one year of college, I impregnated someone's daughter who is my wife and up to now, the guardian refused to pay school fees so I had to drop out to come and take good care of my wife. That's when I decided to work as a watchman since it was the only job opportunity that was available. The house that I started to construct last year march has stuck due to a lack of finances.
