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 ($487 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I was in a position to connect clean tap water. I used to walk for long distances to collect water for domestic use. This was taking much of my time which I could have used in doing my daily activities. we were also being exposed to water-related diseases because we were drinking dirty water. The waterborne related disease is so expensive to cure. My children could spend their free time collecting water. When I received the second transfer I found it wise to purchase pipes and connect the tap water. This has eased my work. Currently, I no longer walk for long distances to collect clean water. i have saved much time to do my other daily chores. My children also have enough time to do their assignments. I am so much grateful for the support because we are living a better life compared to when we had not received the transfer.
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 buy dairy cows and build better houses. 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 to purchase a heifer. I will get enough milk when it reproduces in the future. I also purchased pipes and connected tap water. This has enabled me to get clean water for domestic use. I also bought households items which include cooking gas. Finally, I renovated my house to look decent. I am so much grateful for the support because it has changed my living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($511 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
My happiness knew no bounds the time I realized that I had received my transfer. This was my first time ever in life to see and have such amount of money.
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 now have access to clean water at my doorstep. Due to this, I no longer have to walk for long distance looking for water for domestic use. Having water at my convenience has not only enabled me to save the time I would otherwise use in going to the river but also maintain my house clean and saved me from the shame of being seen with women at the river fetching water.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25000 from my transfer to improve my house by cementing it's floor. I bought some cement, sand and paid the full cost of labor. With this, I will be able to save the money I would otherwise be using to hire one of my neighbors monthly to clean it. Also, I spent KES 11500 to connect piped water to my homestead. I paid registration fee, bought some pipes to use in connecting water from the main channel and paid for the labor. I settled on this so that I would be relieved of the hard task of walking for a long distance looking for clean water for consumption. Using the remaining amount, I bought some decent clothes for my family, two sacks of maize and some household necessities.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been leading a lonely and boring life since my wife and 3 children left me over 5 years ago. She colluded with my mother in-law and decided to leave me alone; with no companion or helper. As such, receiving this money will mark the end of the loneliness since I will marry another wife and hopefully get other children. Precisely, I will utilize the money on buying more cattle that will be used as dowry when as I marry another wife. In our community, it is an abomination for man to marry without paying dowry. Overall, I will be much grateful to GiveDirectly for empowering me to have another family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day is usually busy because I am the one responsible for every task in my family - household chores and farming activities. As such, the happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am interacting with customers in a nearby posho mill where I work as a casual laborer. This is the time that I do not feel isolated or lonely.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The year 2016 marked the beginning of the biggest hardship I have faced in life. This is because my wife left me with all our 3 children. Such an act left me in anguish as loneliness and hopelessness have been my daily experiences. Also, I have been struggling to survive since I have no helper. As a middle-aged man who had spent substantially in setting up a family, I feel much deceived. I gave out almost all the cattle I had as dowry, not anticipating what would later on happen. In short, I have to start life as a family over again.
