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 ($521 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
check
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent second transfer in paying college fees for my daughter who was in teacher's Training Institute and was having an outstanding fees balance which I was unable to settle. I appealed to relatives to assist me in clearing my daughter's fees but this did not yield any fruit. I am a strong believer that education is an everlasting investment.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has uplifted our community economy, empowered the local community by promoting economic liberty and decision making unconditionally. On the other hand, the organization should have done evaluation on how the money has been utilized for promotion of economic welfares of our society This is because, there are some few cases where someone misappropriate the transfer and later ended up to be poorer than before because the money is perceived to be a free one.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has really changed and now I possess things which I could not believe to have. As a widow, I was like a laughingstock in the community for being poor, I was not allowed to associate with people of a high social class and nobody knew that one day one time, God will send his grace upon my family by the name of GiveDirectly to come for my economic rescue.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of the money I received from GiveDirectly to improve the state of my house which was not in a good condition. To begin with, I replaced my broken door which couldn't be locked at all exposing me to a lot of insecurity threats. The worries and fear of external attack that came along with the broken door could not allow me to afford any peaceful sleep. What made the situation even worse was the fact that the house had no ventilation at all except for the broken door. This prompted me to purchase 3 windows to help improve the lighting and circulation of air in the dark and filthy house. Besides the renovation, I bought a cow and a calf which is already providing us with milk and we no longer feed on black tea or porridge. I have noticed my children have gained more weight because of the improved feeding program. I also hired a workforce to help me plough my piece of land which had lied idle for two good years due to financial constraints. Ploughing this land would help me expand my farming activities which would translate to good harvest come the following season. A surplus harvest would not only mean enough food for the family but also a source of income from the sale of the excess farm produce which will greatly help to meet the family needs. Finally, I spent the remaining portion of the transfer to seek medical attention. 6 years ago I was involved in a road accident and since then I haven't been in good health because of the pain I had in one of the limbs which couldn't allow me to even walk properly. Having no stable source of income, I couldn't afford money to get proper medication until this time when I afforded an x-ray and the doctors were able to detect that I had a fracture in the limb. I got treated and in as much as I still attend clinics, I am happy that I no longer suffer from the pains and I can walk well.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While I was sleeping I was awoken by a vibration from my phone at around 3:00 am. On checking the phone I was surprised to confirm that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I didn't believe it and kept on checking the phone to confirm the genuineness of the message. I was engulfed by a high-level of excitement which could not allow me to get back to bed. I resorted to my usual house chores to engage my mind for the next three hours which sounded like a whole century.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have become more productive because I am able to do most activities like farm work, lifting heavy loads among others which I couldn't do before with the fracture that I got from the accident mentioned earlier. In most cases, I could strain my children a lot with most of the activities which weren't healthy considering their young ages and the time needed for their school work. The endless strenuous work that I kept on delegating to them made them develop a negative attitude towards work and even destroyed my relationship with them. All they could do whenever I was around was to seek for hiding places far away from home. I am so happy and heartily grateful for GD for restoring my health.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is that I got an accident in 1998 which has made made me not to perform my daily activities for the well being of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when we gather together as a family and share our daily experiences together.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my life is going to change a great deal as I am now going to pay fees and renovate my house as well.