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 ($473 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?
The new goal that I had before I received the transfer was to build a better and spacious house. I used to live in a small house which could not host all my family member comfortably.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better house and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing building materials and build a better and spacious house for my family. We used to live in a small house which could not host all my family members comfortably. I purchased household items which didn't had before and the rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy. I remember it was morning hours. When I heard a ringtone message from my phone. I reluctantly check it because I was not expecting any message from anyone. I felt so happy because I have never received such amount of money before. I immediately inform my family members and they celebrated with lots of joy. We planned on how to spent the transfer. I withdrew the money the following day and started buying the building material.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have build a better house for my family. We used to live in a small mud house which could not host all the family comfortably. I cemented the floor to be free from dust. All our children are not at home and maintaining a mud house isn't easy that since it needs to be smeared. We do small scale farming, we plant maize, beans and potatoes. This is for family consumption we didn't had extra to sell to earn an income. We have a dairy cow, this makes us get enough milk for my family and we sell the surplus at the market to earn an income. The amount of money that we get through this is only for school fees for our children and any emerging issue. We didn't had savings to build a better house. When we received the first transfer we found it wise to invest on building a better house. Currently we have a spacious and decent house. We live so comfortable and happy. We are no longer exposed to dust particles which might caused respiratory related diseases. We are so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money from GiveDirectly to build a better house for my family. We used to live in a small house which could not host all the family comfortably, I cemented the floor to be dust free.I paid KES 10,000 for school fees for my son in secondary school. I am so grateful because he was able to study well without being sent home. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better housing for my family. I live in one house with my children, anytime I get visitors I don't have a place they can spend a night and I endup going to my neighbors to ask them to accommodate the visitors. Most of the time the neighbors talk bad about me asking for accomodations each time when I have visitors and it has affected my self-esteem. When I receive the money I will build a 3 bedroom timber house worth ksh 70,000. The remaining amount I will buy a Dairy cow to supliment the production I always get.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening when am done with my days work. At this time, I have accomplished the days work and make sure that my family have gotten something for dinner, I join them for dinner and later go to bed to rest, getting ready for the next Day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is financial constraints. I'm a farmer and for the last few years amount of rainfall in the area has been very low hence no production from the farm. The little I havest goes for food and I don't get surplus to sell hence doesn't allow me to save or cater for other family needs like better housing and clothing's.
