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 ($528 USD)
access_time 4 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 it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I have a decent house which was not possible to built before because I did not have the money to start the construction.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving out unconditional cash transfer to the poor people in the village to decide on their own how to spend the money. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend my second transfer to buy chicken feeds, clothes for my family members, two goats, I also built a poultry house and the rest of the money I have saved to gather for any emergencies that may arise.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to diversify our sources of income. Starting a poultry project that my wife now runs has enabled her to help me in meeting some of our needs. Due to this, she no longer asks for money daily because she now earns an income from this project. With this, I am optimistic that I will be able to concentrate and clear paying school fees for my children early next year.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 7 am as I was working on my farm when I received a message alert on my phone. Upon checking its contents, my heart was with joy. I immediately left the work I was doing and went straight home and shared the good news with my family and they all became so happy. I would not wait any longer to start using the money to achieve our plans.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to build a spacious iron-roofed house for my family. We decided on this as a family since the house we were living in was small and grass thatched. With the growing size of my family, this house would soon not accommodate us anymore as it is growing smaller as days pass by. Also, I bought 25 chicken and built a chicken coop as a way of starting a poultry keeping project. I settled on this so that it will be keeping my wife busy as she runs the household errands. I spent the remaining amount to buy a goat for rearing as a reminder of GiveDirectly. I will sell them after it has reproduced and increase in number and use the money to buy a dairy cow.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means initiating poultry farming for my spouse so that she can support me in providing for the family. This will in turn reduce the worry level each day whenever i fail to secure a mechanic job selling poultry products especially eggs each day will supplement my income whenever i fail to get a job. Building a more spacious and comfortable two roomed iron roofed house is what i aso have in mind since this small hut i live with my family is old already and is one roomed meaning we have had difficulty hosting visitors around.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up every morning feeling energetic keeps me happy and gives me a motivation that i will be able to look for a job tirelessly and come back home in the evening carrying food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship i have faced in life is unreliable source of income. I work as a mechanic, a job that is never predictable due to the remoteness of this place. Paying school fees for my three children one in college, another one in secondary school and one in primary school has been a struggle to me now that i am the breadwinner of my family.
