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 ($464 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Immediately I accomplished my initial goal of buying a cow that I will rely on for the provision of milk for my family, I developed an additional goal of acquiring a new set of chairs. Previously, I was using some logs fixed in the house as my seats since I did not have a single chair. Sitting on the logs for long without a place for a backrest was really discomforting, thus I always felt bad whenever I had visitors around. I am so glad that as a result of the transfers, I have upgraded my household assets. The new set of chairs is comfortable hence I would no longer have a feeling of hurting my visitors when they are around.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well through giving direct cash transfers. Unlike other NGOs with conventional intervention programs, GiveDirectly considers dynamism and individual differences hence it gives its recipients an opportunity to prioritize how to spend their transfer. Through this approach, there has been a visible positive change among the communities where GiveDirectly works. On the contrary, I have not witnessed what GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 from my most recent transfer on buying a cow that has so far given birth to a healthy calf. I am so glad that my family status has abruptly changed and moving forward, I shall always be able to get milk at no cost, a situation I could not imagine a few months ago. In addition, the positive impact of my transfer is witnessed in terms of the general outlook of my house. The new set of chairs that I bought with part of my transfers has made my house look more appealing, a situation that nowadays makes me miss being at house even if I have some work-related engagement away from home.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8am in the morning while relaxing outside my house when I heard an SMS notification on my phone. On checking it, it was KES55000 from GiveDirectly I was very happy because earlier I used to see these as a fairy tale but now a reality.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness because I now own my dairy cow. Initially, I used to desire to have one but couldn't afford.I am also grateful because my house is now cosy with the sofasets and my family has grown healthier and happier.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES25000 on a dairy cow as a source livelihood for my family because I had bought milk for last six years.I also spent KES10000 on three sofasets seaters because I initially had local made benches.I also spent KES 10000 on food,household items and clothing.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been buying milk for my children and family for a long period making our life costly. This is because I don't have cows to enable me to milk my own, with this money I will give priority to buying one cow at KES 40000 and start producing milk of my own. Rather than milk for domestic purposes, it will boost our family income through the sale of surplus milk. I have been struggling to cement our main house with no success since I depend on a casual job of weeding farms for pay which pays a little KES 200 daily. This is only enough to buy food for the family making it difficult to have some extra money for construction. This renovation will cost me about KES 30000 and I see hope in doing so when I receive this money. I will also consider buying food and clothing for my family with the remaining money.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am usually happy in the late evening, this is the time I am usually done with my casual jobs and I have some cash KES 200 to buy food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Providing food and other basic needs for the family has been a big challenge for me. This happened since the Corona pandemic came and affected job opportunities making me depend on a casual job to earn a living.
