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 ($435 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would like to rear chickens and bees for commercial purposes. Early on before the drought, I had a lot of cows and goats but they all died due to dehydration. It downgraded my life and now I would prefer to rear livestock that sells easily such as chickens and bees that can survive at every season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I would like to rear chickens and bees for commercial purposes. Early on before the drought, I had a lot of cows and goats but they all died due to dehydration. It downgraded my life and now I would prefer to rear livestock that sells easily such as chickens and bees that can survive at every seoson.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer, I cultivate green grams and vegetables and rear goats for commercial purposes. During the drought season that we are currently experiencing, I have transitioned to producing charcoal and selling it because I can no longer continue with farming due to lack of water. From the charcoal business, I get $4 a week which is very little to cater to my family's needs. I have nine children that need school fees, clothing, and food. I have been struggling to buy food for the family, sometimes when I do not have money to buy food I send them to my father and some to my friends to get a meal. The other problem I had is to build a house that is conducive for my big family. Previously I has a single room the walls had holes that were big enough for rodents and snakes to get into the house, this devasted me, and when I received the first transfer that was the first project I started with. The first transfer did not complete the house and when I received the second, I finished building a two-room house that was big for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I woke up at around 5am in the morning, I saw a message in my phone. Upon checking, it was the transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with joy for it was a great start of the day. The happiness didn’t allow me to go back to sleep since I was used to waking up by 6.30am.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In my life, I hadn’t dreamt of owning an iron sheet roofed house due to house life was taking me. Things were very tough and I was only fending from hand to mouth so it wasn’t easy to dream of having a decent house. As at now I can say the transfer made a huge difference in my life since I own a house. The house has totally changed the view of my homestead. It is now pleasing and beautiful to be around.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I was living in a small grass-thatched house, I decided to build a good and spacious house. I bought the construction material that is; Iron sheets, nails and poles at KES 24000.00, KES 600.00 and KES 5000.00 respectively. Thereafter, I paid KES 8000.00 school fees for my children so that they can have conducive learning environment instead of being sent home every now and then for school fees. I also settled some bills from a shop where I used to pick some food stuff for my family. Since I received the transfer at a challenging season as far as the climate was concerned, I opted to keep the remaining money for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means building a spacious house for my family. I have a family of five children and we are all living in the same one bedroom house. There is no privacy at all. I will build a three bedroom house which will cost approximately KES 80000. I will also use KES 30000 to pay school fees for my son who is in secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past 6 months, my family has been well all through. No one has been sick and children are going to school as usual despite the school fees challenge. By virtue that my family has been healthy wise okay for the past 6 months , it bring happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my job when Covid-19 came to our country in 2020. Since then it has been very difficult to get school fees for my children and also get money to buy food for the family. Before covid, I had plans to build a spacious house but my dream died when Covid-19 came. So lack of job is the current challenge our facing.
