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 ($467 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?
At the time of my enrollment into the program, my original goal was to build a house and buy a cow. For years, I had been living in a small and old uncomfortable house although I could not build a new one because of lack of adequate funds. Immediately I accomplished this goal, I thought of expanding my shop. This would diversify my sources of income hence I would be able to provide both meals and raise school fees for my children. They would therefore be able to learn comfortably with less disruption.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, since the time GiveDirectly began working in our village, it has been working towards uplifting the neediest household members through direct cash transfer. It ensures that mobile money-related risks are curbed by emphasizing to us the need to keep our Mpesa pin secret. Through this, there have not been many cases of theft or fraud among the community beneficiaries.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 from my most recent transfer to buy a piece of land. The land is just within our closest center and I plan to develop it so that it can generate for my family an additional source of income. I shall build some business house in it, and use one for my shop. This will save me from spending some money on a monthly basis to pay for the shop's rent. Saving monthly rents will be a big gain for my family. The rest of my transfers, KES 12,000 were all spent on buying foodstuffs for my family. This in the recent past has enabled me to build my savings from the business's daily profits since my family needs have already been scattered for.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in hospital and was in labour just about to give birth when I saw the message. I was very excited and a few hours later, I gave birth to a beautiful girl. I got double blessings on that day and I will never forget that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I now have a cow which I have always wanted to own since I got married. I will also be able to build a house courtesy of GiveDirectly transfers. May GiveDirectly be blessed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have bought building materials to build a house but I am yet to build the house. I also bought a heifer that I am looking forward for it to calf.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that all my children shall complete their basic education and even further their studies. This is because I will utilize the funds on purchasing and rearing some cattle. Once the cattle mature and reproduce, I will sell their offsprings to raise school fees. Currently, we have no source of income since we rely primarily on subsistence farming and our worry has been raising school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a housewife, the happiest part of my day is in the afternoon after completing my household chores. This makes me feel like a responsible wife and mother.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is raising my three children in the absence of my husband. As a housewife without any reliable source of income, I struggled a lot to ensure we survive. Though at times we had to skip some meals and miss certain basic needs, I thank God that He saw us through. My husband had disappeared for more than five years in the name of searching for a job. Unfortunately, he could not send us any money or keep communicating with us. Eventually, he came home and we are happily reunited.
