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 ($466 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?
After utilizing the second transfer, I set some goals that I am fighting to accomplish them. The first one is to add more goats so that I can invest in them because I have seen people prospering in this kind of business and the second one is to start a shop business. The aim is to sell the fast moving goods that are used on daily basis in the community.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a life uplifting organization which came to us in good faith. I can attest that, if it were not for GiveDirectly I would not have renovated the roof of my house and within no time the roof would collapse. I am very happy for the organization and I pray that it gets favor wherever it goes.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, I first opted to settle school fees for my four primary school children who had been sent home from school due to the same. Therefore, I paid KES 2800.00 for them and they resumed classes. I also bought four goats for KES 14000.00 plus a bed and a mattress. I also renovated the roofing of my house since it was leaking as well as buying some food for the 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?
It was in the morning hours, I can clearly state what time it was since I do not know things pertaining time when I heard my phone ringing. At first I thought it was an incoming call only to realize that it was a message. I gave the phone to one of my family members to read and interpret for me. The information filled my heart with thanks giving and appreciation. It was the first transfer from GiveDirectly that had been received in my phone. I ululated and danced in happiness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that not only me but also other people are seeing is how healthy I am nowadays. I have gained some weight since receiving the first transfer since I am no longer struggling with logs in the forest to make charcoals as before. I was very skinny but now my body has some flesh. This is all because of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, the first thing was to renovate my house. The house was invaded by termites and the poles were destroyed thus I bought some insecticides and also did some cement floor to my house. Thereafter, I bought a bed and a mattress because I had no bed and I was sleeping on some timbers. I also paid school fees and bought school uniforms for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means safety and security for me. I have been living in a house that is weak for the last 2 years. The roof is always shaking during strong winds. The poles of the house are also rotten, they were eaten up by termites. Living in such a house is risky, given that it can fall at any time. This leaves me feel very insecure to live in this house. I am planning to use 30,000 KES to build a new house. I will use strong poles for the new house. Poles that will hardly be affected by termites. With the new house, I will be very safe and happy. I will be spending my nights without the fear of a house falling on me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
There is a time that I received 4,000 KES from well wishers. This was like 5 months ago. I was very happy. I used the amount to pay school fees for my grand children and cleared all my debts.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a challenge for my family. I have a daughter and 4 grand children. I used to do farming to get food. With the drought that has lasted for more than 2 years, farming is now impossible. Due to the struggles of putting food on the table, I resorted to charcoal burning. The amount ( 4,000 KES) I make from this business is never enough to buy food that can last us for a full month. In worst cases, we are forced to only consume one meal a day.
