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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 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 own an extra dairy cow. Due to this, my income from dairy farming has increased and I have been able to meet our daily needs on time. Also, I believe that I will have a good harvest this year that will last us till the next harvesting season. This is because I was able to practice timely cultivation and used hybrid maize seeds this season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by enrolling everyone without any discrimination and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent a good amount to buy a dairy cow and its calf. I settled on this so that my income from the dairy farming will increase. Also, I spent some amount on farming. I hired a tractor for land preparation and planting purposes and also bought enough hybrid seeds. I spent the remaining amount to buy our daily household needs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My life has greatly changed and it is currently different after receiving my transfers since I have built a decent spacious house. I now live in a decent iron-roofed house which has boosted my self-esteem in society and given better comfort. This is a dream that I could not have fulfilled at my own cost because of my age. I had for long wished to live in a decent house but my overwhelming family needs never gave me a chance to build one. I had struggled to provide for my family which I could manage to meet after straining a lot doing casual jobs. My house got older and older thus started cracking and weak a situation that was becoming uncomfortable for me. With my age, I lost hope of building a decent house but I thank GiveDirectly since they made it possible for me.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was still sleeping when I received a message notification on my phone. Since I could not read its contents due to my age, I waited till daybreak so that I would request my son to read it for me. When he informed me about the good news, I became so happy as I had never received such an amount before.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfer, I spent some amount to build a decent and spacious house for my family near where my children live. I bought some iron sheets, nails, timber and also paid a mason for this work. I settled on this since I am an aged person and prefer living near my children for security purposes. I used the remaining amount to buy one sack of maize flour and other foodstuffs.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to buy a cow.I have been depending on my son who has one cow to get a cup of milk daily.He also has a family and his young children need the milk in the diet.I therefore only get only enough to make tea and do not have any to include in my other meals which would be really necessary in my old age.I will also buy some goats as a way of saving up the money
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day entails working within the homestead especially on my small garden.From morning to midday,I need to gather all available energy to work on my vegetable garden because this is where my food for the day will come from.In the afternoon,I take a rest till evening.Having this time to rest makes afternoon the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I live all alone.Life has always been very difficult because I have to work on my farm to be able to feed myself.There are times when my body is fraille and I have no energy to work.On those days,if I do npt get assistance from my relatives,I will mostly sleep hungry.This is the biggest hardship I have faced.
