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
55000 KES ($446 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I'm a simple man with straightforward desires and goals. As a result, my sole goal is to provide the best possible life for our children. I would like for them to finish school, get good jobs, and provide the best possible life for themselves and my grandchildren.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has changed the lives of so many people in our community. excels at providing dignity and growth to those in need. I pray that they are eternally blessed and that God allows them to continue their good work without ever running out of funds.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I did with the GiveDirectly funds was build a two-bedroom house with a verandah. We had planned how we would build for a long time but were short on funds; thankfully, GiveDirectly allowed us to do so. In the same breath, I spent some of the funds on food as well as on debt repayment. The majority of the remaining funds were used to pay tuition for my three students. My eldest is married and has one child in Jaribuni; my second child is out of school due to a lack of funds despite having completed class 8, and my third and fourth children both attend Mbonga Primary School.One is in junior secondary school and the other is in secondary school. While my wife and I work on our 5-acre maize and cassava farm, we have little money to meet our own and our children's needs. Needless to say, GiveDirectly has been and continues to be a blessing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($465 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 Pm I was just relaxing at home with my family, suddenly I heard a message notification from my phone. When I checked it out I felt so happy. It was a message confirming that I had received some money from GiveDirectly. I informed my family members and everyone was so happy. I knew I would be able to purchase building materials and build a decent and spacious house. I went and withdraw the money the following day. We are grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is purchasing building materials to build a better and more spacious house. We live in a small grass thatched house that cannot host all my family members comfortably. We are being exposed to colds and this is so risky to our health. I have always wished to build a better and more spacious house but I did not have the money. I am a motorcycle taxi operator the amount of money that I could get from this job is so small and I was not in a position to save some money. The money I would get was only enough for basic household needs and food for my children. Currently, I have purchased all the necessary materials and the construction is ongoing. I am so grateful because we will move into a spacious house, We will not be exposed to cold again. My children will sleep comfortably and have room to do their studies well. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled me to fulfill my dream of owning a good house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend KES 27,000 on purchasing building materials. This was my priority since I live in an old house that was leaking from the inside. we were being exposed to cold. The construction is ongoing and we will move into a better and decent house. I spent KES 7,300 on purchasing maize, rice, and beans. We lacked food at that time. The remaining amount of money I spent on household items. We are so grateful because GiveDirectly has enabled us fulfilled our dreams.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a motorist who depends on carrying passengers in the village using a motorbike. Besides I have a family of five( three children, my mother and spouse). On a good day, I take home KES 300. This money is not enough to take care of our basic needs.(Food, water, education and shelter) my children and I sleep in the same single roomed house which leaks during rainy season. This forces us to seek shelter from my mother's house which is a taboo according to our African culture. This has lowered my dignity as man but due to lack of enough money my dream of building a better house has remained to be a wish. Upon receiving the cash transfers, I will use KES 50000 to build two bedroom mud walled house. I will then use the remaining amount to invest in livestock farming. Receiving this money therefore means restoring dignity and safety of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last four months during the festive season (Christmas and New year) I joined hands with my neighbors and we purchased three goats and fifty kilograms of rice. We cooked and celebrated together. It was the most happiest moment of my life because for once I got friends ideas which helped me solve some of the challenges. It is from this occasion that one of my neighbors hired me a motorist which makes me earn a daily income to sustain my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Persistent drought in our village has remained to be the major problem facing my family. My parents did not afford to educate me and the only thing they taught us is subsistence farming. I have been depending on maize farming to put food on the table but due to climate change, agricultural production has been very difficult. I am now depending on casual jobs. Currently I work as a motorist and the much I earn in a single day is KES 300. This is because the scarcity of fuel in the country has destabilized the economy and prices of common commodities have gone very high. Consequently, passengers have resolved to walking than boarding a motorbike. I intend to fix this by using the cash transfers(KES 40000) from givedirectly to buy ten goats which I will keep and sell in the market when they multiply to earn a living.
