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 ($491 USD)
access_time over 2 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 had never received the transfer in that I am now having a reliable source of income to supplement my husband's earnings from his motorbike taxi. Through the transfer, I was able to start a second-hand clothes business a job that earns me an income of $50 within 2 weeks. I am now empowered since I no longer depend on my husband for every need of the family. In addition, I was able to acquire a motorbike for my husband with my second transfer. Back in the days, he uses to hire one from my neighbour where he had to pay a fee every day. Furthermore, I was able to acquire livestock with my first transfer a long-term investment for the family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for uplifting the lives of poor households through the direct cash transfer program.I do not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $450 to purchase a second-hand motorbike for my husband so that he may have his own motorbike for taxi business. Previously, he had been working using our neighbour's motorbike which he had to pay some amount every evening. In addition, I used $100 to start a small business of selling second-hand clothes within my village. I am now able to earn a profit of $50 within two weeks something changed my life for the better.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($513 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money, I felt so happy and thanked God for the miracle.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the feeling of content for having invested in livestock. I am so proud of myself and I am confident that whenever I am in financial crisis I can sell some of them in order to meet my financial needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought 7 goats with a bigger portion of the first transfer for rearing. Since goats give birth twice a year I believe that by the end of the year I will have additional goats. Later on they will come in handy whenever my children would be in need of school fee since I will be able to sell of them.
Part of the money I spent on a solar panel which helps in both lighting and charging my phone. I nolonger pay for my phone to be charged.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My first born will begin school next year. I want to start planning early for the education of my children since I foresee a big challenge when it comes to paying school fees. I therefore have a plan of buying 4 goats and 1 cow. This will cost me around 300 USD. When they multiply I will be able to sell and pay school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is after a busy day's work in the scorching sun. I am a subsistence farmer. I spend the morning hours in the farm and the afternoon hours doing house chores like washing utensils, cleaning the compound and fetching water. I enjoy when I get that time to relax in the evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is lack of enough income to satisfy the basic needs, moreso food. I depend on farming here at home but prolonged drought has been a hindrance to getting enough food. I mainly rely on my spouse who is a motorcycle taxi rider to provide food for me and my three children. He does not earn much making it a big struggle to satisfy the family's needs.
