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 ($466 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?
Currently I haven’t developed specific goals to accomplish once I get some money though this is not a hindrance because I usually think on my feet once I get some money and the goals I come up with are not regrettable. As at now I have several ideas which I can venture into but once I get money is when I will sieve them to get the best.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Before I knew of GiveDirectly, my life was at sixes and sevens. I struggled to make ends meet but in most of the time my efforts bore no fruits. As at now, I am a happy person because the a bigger percentage of my cries were settled by GiveDirectly. I am very grateful because if it were not for GiveDirectly, I would not have gotten an iron sheet roofed house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money I decided to renovate my house by changing the whole roof. This is because it was leaking and some poles had been destroyed by termites. In that regard, I bought 18 iron sheets for KES 17100.00. I also bought four goats for KES 14000.00. Thereafter, I paid the contractor who did the roofing and used the remaining amount in buying some food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was about 9 am, I was busy doing my work of charcoal vending when I heard a message alert on my phone. I did not understand its contents and I had to stop what I was doing to go home for my helper to interpret the messages for me. I was very happy when I learned I had received my transfer. I joined my relatives in celebrating for receiving our transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a reliable source of income for my family after starting livestock rearing is the biggest difference in my daily life. I am now happy and able to meet my needs without much struggle.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 11,500 to purchase a modern bed and mattress. I was using old traditional bed and sacks as beddings which were not comfortable. Every morning I was experiencing pains all over my body after waking up. Furthermore, I invested KES 14,000 on purchasing 6 goats so that I could start livestock rearing a reliable source of income for my family. This is because I was doing charcoal burning an activity that is very tiresome with low pay. I also bought 30 building poles this was for the construction of a house for my son who was seeking refuge from our neighbors every night. I was constantly worried about his safety as he had to walk a long distance to my neighbour's house.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security for my family. I have relied on charcoal burning for long. However, this occupation can no longer sustain my family in as far as food supply is concerned. Sometimes I am forced to spend a day without eating anything something that has had some negative implications on my health. Immediately I receive my first transfer, I am planning to use KES. 30,000 to buy food for my family. This will assure me of enough supply of food for the entire year given that I only stay with my last born son. I am planning to use the balance to construct a two bedroom house for my son. He is about to get married, however due to the lack of money, he is yet to construct his own house. He can not reside in my house once he gets married and therefore there is that need for him to get a separate structure. Doing all this will give me the peace I have always desired to have.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because I take a rest unlike in the morning and afternoon hours where I engage in energy draining charcoal burning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life. Affording three meals a day has been a dream for my family. With the charcoal burning occupation I engage myself in, it has been impossible to put a meal on the table on a regular basis.This has forced me to skip some meals involuntarily something that has had some negative implications on my health.
