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 ($494 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?
Receiving this transfer has significantly improved our lives by ensuring that we have sufficient food for consumption, school-going children have ample study time, and we enjoy watching television for entertainment and updates. In brief, we lead a lifestyle that we used to think belongs to the rich only.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by allowing recipients the freedom to spend their transfers in whichever way they want. This ensures that the needs and demands of the neediest in society are addressed. I find nothing that the company doesn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used 200 USD of my second transfer on paying school fees for my two children who are at secondary. I opted to do so since there were huge arrears pending; my children used to be sent home to collect them m, a practice that adversely impacts their studies. I spent another 100 USD on purchasing food items for my family since we have been buying them all along because we have a relatively small farm to plant food crops. As a widow taking care of my family of 9 members without a reliable source of income or adequate space for crip farming, gaining sufficient food has been the biggest challenge I face. Finally, I spent the remaining amount (approximately 230 USD) on purchasing and installing a television set in my house. We had yearned to own television for specific reasons - entertainment and updates.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I saw the notification message I was very happy and couldn't help running to the Mpesa as fast as the motorcycle could carry me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a new and neat grass-thatched Kitchen is the biggest difference in my daily life. As a widow, I am more happy than before because I couldn't afford to buy what my kids asked for but now I can . I and my kids are also well fed and and more healthy. I have also bought a heifer which will be a source of milk and income for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 200 Dollars of my transfer on a heifer because it will help reduce milk purchasing costs as I didn't have one before. I spent 100 Dollars on three maize sacks as food for my family because there's scarcity of maize in our locality and could afford before. I spent 40 Dollars on building a new grass thatched kitchen because the one had was old and worn out. I also spent 80 dollars on clothing for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Once I receive Givedirectly transfer,I will buy a esher cow at the cost of shillings twenty thousand. I Will be milking this cow and am sure it will give me not less than five liter's per day to supply to hotels in my nearby market.It will be my source of income to sustain my family with food stuffs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a widow running small business of buying milk at my neighbours homes and supply to people at my nearby market.It is really tiresome to go round the village collecting,I consider evening hours to be my happiest time since I will have humble time to rest with my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The hardship have gone through in my life leaving here,is loosing my loved one.At the day I lost him I was worried on how to take care of my children especially to feed them for the last two years.
