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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I do, I managed to buy, a bed at Kes. 8000, three goats at Kes. 11000. Paid school fees of Kes. 8000 and bought food with the rest of the transfer. I am a mother of six. Two girls and four boys. I am a single mother and currently jobless. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for putting a smile on my face.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Nothing bad. Being registered to receive money was a big achievement for me. I have come from nothing to something. Thank you so much.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It helped me in opening a restaurant with the transfer of Kes. 13000. Bought Christmas shopping at Kes. 4000. A goat, cooking oil and baking floor. I also paid school fees for my children of Kes.4000 for the ones who were in secondary and Kes. 3000 for the ones who were in the primary. I also managed to buy clothes and food for my family. GiveDirectly, You have put a smile on my face.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 AM when I was visiting a friend in the nearby village who has been quite unwell when I received a new message from my mobile phone. Since I was in a hurry, I didn't bother to check the contents of the message. After arriving home I asked my elder son to check who might have sent the messages at that hour. On checking, he realized that GiveDirectly had finally debited my first transfer as promised earlier. We were all super excited and started planning on how best we would utilize the money. This is one of the memorable days of my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been longing to have livestock in my compound for a long period. The income I was getting from my casual jobs was very little I could not afford to buy even one. Being a single parent, I was responsible for all the basic needs of my family. Therefore after receiving my first transfer my first thought was to buy the goats. I am so glad that for now, they have started reproducing, and very soon I will have many of them. Raining the six children alone has been so tough because I depend on the meager incomes of KES 200. Having these goats will enable me to achieve a lot and even fend for my children's needs with fewer struggles. I am planning to sell a few offspring once they mature and start a hotel business I the villages and this will now be my major source of income. I am so thankful to this organization for making me achieve most of my long time goals.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock more so three goats at KES 12000. I settled for the goats because according to me they have numerous benefits and require minimal supervision compared to the other domestic animals. In addition to that, I bought two wooden beds at KES 12000. Previously I used to sleep on the floor with the old mats which were so uncomfortable and I could always complain of back pains every morning. There is a relief now becasue I will no longer be taking painkillers like before I also cleared school fees of KES 10000 for my son who recently joined the secondary school and it's my pleaser he will be studying peacefully for the whole academic year. Finally, I used the remaining amount of money on buying foodstuffs, nice clothes other household items that I have been lacking for years
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved living standard to my family. I plan to achieve this by spending 45000 KES to buy two indigenous cows and four goats.Once they multiply I will sell at a profit to cater for my basic needs.I will also spend some of the transfer to construct a separate house for my two boys whom we are sharing a single room.
The remaining amount will help me cater for other needs such as school fees and uniforms.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening.My day begin at 5:30Am prepare my children to school and leave for fetching firewood. I spend the whole day there and return in the evening.This is when I reconnect with my kids where we share meals together and retire to bed.It is at this time that I get good time to rest and plan for next day unlike in the morning and afternoon when I am busy and tired.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is food insecurity. I am divorced and live with my five children whom I take care of them alone. I struggle to put food for them as well as paying their school fees.I depend on casual jobs such as selling charcoal and firewood at Bamba. I earn 1000 KES which is not sustainable for all family issues.Due to this I have been struggling to make ends meet.Sometime I borrow food from my relatives.Something that makes me feel embarrassed.
