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 ($462 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?
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly gave me the opportunity to invest the money n
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used all of my recent transfer to buy food for family.I could not invest in anything then I thought of buying food
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home and I was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen when I heard my phone ringing. I didn't know what it was all about because I am old and I do not know how to read. I continued with what I was doing, after some few minutes, I heard people in my neighborhood celebrating saying that they had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I sent for my helper to come so that he could confirm for me what people were saying. He came and checked my phone and he told me that it was true that I had received the transfer that the people in my neighborhood were talking about. I was so happy to hear the good news and we celebrated with him giving thanks to God.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that the transfer has brought into my life is that I no longer depend on my children to provide for me. I was able to buy some food with part of the money that is going to last me for a while and I also reserved some money for my upkeep. Whenever I lack something, I just send my grandchildren to go buy it for me. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for what you have done for me. May God bless you.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the money on buying a water tank. I wanted the water tank because I do not have a source of water. I am old and I am not able to go to the river to fetch water. I depend on my grandchildren to go fetch some for me, sometimes they are not available because they usually go to school. I have always wanted to buy one but due to financial constraints, I was not in a position to. I am not able to engage in any income-earning activity due to my old age and I depend on my children to provide for me.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For a long time, I have struggled to look for clean water for domestic use. Considering my age (82 years), I no longer have the strength to walk long distances to fetch clean drinking water. Sometimes I'm forced to use water from a nearby stream which is not so clean and it brings stomach problems. Repairing the roof, purchasing gutters, and buying a water tank will cost me KES 50,000. The rest of the amount I will purchase a cow as a way of investment so that I can spend the money in more budgeted way.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when my grandchildren are around. They give me company and help me do house chores. Throughout the day, I'm very lonely because I can't walk or move far, I just seat outside my house until evening. I do not much because I'm old, unable to walk or do house chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is a lack of finances due to prolonged drought. Being a peasant farmer, I depend on farm produce. For the last more than five years, there has been continued drought. Since then I just depend on my children to send me money for upkeep. I used all my assets to put my children through school.
