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 ($533 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I lack words to explain how my life has changed. I used to do odd jobs that could earn me at most KES 150 in a day. This amount was supposed to sustain a household of 5 children from their eating, dressing, and education. I struggled but never gave up. Personal, GD has shown me the meaning of mercy and love. Thanks to the transfers, I now live in a bigger house with rooms for both the girls and boys that means more privacy. I have also paid schools fees upfront for my children and bought foodstuff enough stock for a couple of weeks. This makes me a happy dad.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly has lifted my living standards. My children have been able to go to school amongst other children in the village. My family has enough food on a daily basis and none of them wears torn clothes anymore. This to me means a lot as compared to how my life had been before the transfers. I would be lying to say I see evil or wrong in anything that GD has done. So far it has been more than a blessing to me.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Upon receiving my second transfer, my first priority was building a better house for my children. I have five children, living in our previous house was uncomfortable and squeezed because it was small. I went ahead and bought the building materials that could facilitate the construction of a better and bigger house. The remaining amount I bought foodstuff and paid school fees for two of my children currently in high school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my family do not to bed on empty stomachs like it was before.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received money from GiveDirectly, I did not believe, first I thought it was a dream to me, my friend I have been in poverty and when I saw the money, I was so excited. I have never handled such amount in my entire life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on buying building materials that I used to build a new house. I had a very squeezed house that could not comfortably accommodate me and my family. I also bought new bedding as the ones I had already worn out and the remaining I spent on food. At least my family can have enough to eat.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that great significant change is going to happen in my life because I am going to pay school fees to my children, I will also buy a cow and repair my house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening while my family is home together moreso when there is food to be shared together.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am faced with is raising children whereby I have to pay their school fees from the little earnings from casual work in the farms and buy them food, during rainy seasons I am not able to work in the farms because the farms are overly wet and therefore very difficult moments as I am rendered with no other alternative to sustain my family.
