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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal in the coming year and beyond is to construct a new two-roomed house to accommodate my family. It doesn't sit well with me to sleep in my son's tiny house, but financial challenges have forced me into this situation. I have already purchased twelve iron sheets, and I need ten more to reach the required number. After that, I will purchase building poles and save money for the labor costs of constructing the house. To achieve this goal, I plan to save more money from my subsequent transfers and use it to purchase the remaining materials. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support I've received so far, which has brought me closer to realizing this dream.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My house collapsed, forcing my wife and me to move into my son's house temporarily while we wait to construct a new one. I work in construction on casual jobs, but these jobs pay very little—just enough to buy food for the day. The financial hardships we face have made it difficult to build another house for my family. Thanks to the financial transfers, I was able to spend $44 to purchase four pieces of iron sheets, bringing the total number of sheets I have to twelve. Unfortunately, my son fell ill and had to be admitted to the hospital. I spent $22 to clear the pending bill before he was discharged, and I am happy to know that he is much better now, with his health improving significantly. I also purchased food worth $24, ensuring that my family had enough to eat despite the challenges in finding steady work. The financial support has been crucial in helping us get through these tough times, and I am grateful for the assistance that has allowed me to start working towards building a new home and taking care of my family's needs.
22nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I sit under the leaking roof of my humble home, I can't help but dream of a brighter future ahead. For too long, the constant drip-drip of rainwater has been a reminder of the struggles we face each day. But now, with the support of GiveDirectly, I have a plan, and a goal to strive towards. In the coming year and beyond, my focus is to transform this old, worn-out grass-thatched roof into a sturdy roof made of iron sheets. With each passing month, I envision myself one step closer to my dream, purchasing two pieces of iron sheets at a time until I have enough to build a two-room mud wall house. No longer will I fear the rainy season, will I wake up to find puddles forming on the floor. This is more than just a house renovation; it's a symbol of hope, resilience, and the determination to create a better life for myself and my family. With GiveDirectly by my side, I am confident that I can turn this vision into reality.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Life hasn't been easy for me; I rely on casual labor to make ends meet. With the recent transfers totaling $102, I had to make some informed and crucial decisions so that I could benefit from the money to transform my life. First, my son's health was my priority. He had been sick and he required some medicines so I spent $10 on him. It was tough seeing him suffer, but every penny spent on his health was worth it.
After that, I tackled a long-standing issue of my leaky grass-thatched house. With $72, I purchased six iron sheets, a step towards renovating my roof. The rainy season's relentless downpours had turned my home into a soggy mess. With 12 iron sheets now in hand through the transfers, I'm halfway to providing my family with a safer, drier shelter. However, there's still work to be done; I need eight more sheets to complete the transformation. Finally, $20 went towards food, ensuring my family's basic needs were met amidst these pressing concerns. These decisions were tough, but they were necessary steps towards securing a better future for us all.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($21 USD)
access_time 10 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current dwelling is in a state of disrepair, with the added vulnerability of being thatched with grass. Although constructing a new house was initially part of my plan, unforeseen circumstances arose when my child fell ill. The transfers that were originally earmarked for the house had to be redirected towards my child's medical expenses, causing a delay in my construction plans. As the sole provider for my family and lacking a steady income source, saving for both the house and medical bills proved to be a significant challenge. Now that my child is on the path to recovery, my immediate focus is on acquiring iron sheets to build a new, more durable roof. My goal is to obtain a minimum of 22 iron sheets, purchasing at least two pieces every month. Once I have completed the collection of iron sheets, my next step will be to acquire the necessary building poles. With the support of my wife, who is also a beneficiary, I have managed to purchase 8 iron sheets so far. I am optimistic that, with continued effort, I will accumulate the materials needed to construct the new house and provide a safer and more stable home for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Our son faced a challenging battle with a urinary tract disease, leading to a prolonged hospitalization. While we had previously managed the condition, a recent severe seizure necessitated immediate medical intervention. The prescribed treatment included two daily injections costing $5, adding a financial strain on us. Coping with the escalating medical expenses became increasingly burdensome. Fortunately, my wife, also benefiting from this program, and I joined forces to contribute towards our son's medication in the subsequent months. I dedicated $20 monthly, finding solace in the fact that he received proper care and timely medical attention. Struggling to make ends meet with menial and low-paying jobs, I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance that helped ensure our son's treatment. During this period, unemployment and mounting medical bills forced me to buy food on credit, resulting in a significant accumulation of debt. With the aid of the transfers, I was able to allocate the remaining $10 to settle the debts and purchase essential food items. Though personally challenging, the relief brought by the financial support immensely impacted my household. I am thankful for the assistance that alleviated the burden and provided much-needed relief during a difficult time.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Right now, my primary focus is on building a new house. Our current one is in such poor condition, with its grass thatch roof deteriorating over time, causing leaks and dampness when it rains. My dream is to build a new house with mud walls and a tin roof. I'm happy that the previous cash transfers have already enabled me to acquire ten pieces of iron sheets. With this progress, I'm confident that I'll be able to complete the new house within a year. Once the house is built, my next goal is to start raising livestock, especially goats. Livestock farming will provide me with security for the future, even after the cash transfers come to an end.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I started receiving the cash transfers, I have had a strong desire to build a new house for my family, but financial constraints have held me back. During that time, my household often faced hunger, so most of the funds went towards food. Also, I had to use a significant portion of the cash transfers to cover my son's medical bills because he frequently fell ill. The main reason I want a new house is because our current one is in terrible condition. It's made of grass thatches, which deteriorate over time, leaving us cold and damp when it rains. As a casual laborer in house construction, job opportunities are scarce. There are not many house construction projects in my region, and the number of casual laborers in the field keeps increasing. However, I'm grateful that the cash transfers have allowed me to start buying iron sheets for the new house. For the past three months, I've been setting aside $10 each month for this purpose. I also allocate $15 for my son's medical bills, and the rest goes towards food. Although he is not completely healed, am glad that the treatments are helping him.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES
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?
My current focus is on building a new house for my family, as the existing structure is damaged on the walls and could collapse at any moment. I aspire to construct a two-room house with mud walls and a tin roof. My wife and I have already begun purchasing the necessary building materials, such as iron sheets, to ensure the success of this project. Once we have accumulated enough materials, we will hire someone to complete the construction. I am grateful for the cash transfers, as they have played a crucial role in making this endeavor possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The lack of a proper house is my primary concern. Our current house is in a dilapidated state and on the verge of collapsing. To address this, both my wife and I, as beneficiaries of the cash aid, have been contributing $20 each toward the purchase of iron sheets. We intend to acquire enough building materials before hiring someone to construct a new house for our family. The remaining funds are usually allocated towards purchasing food, which has significantly improved our daily meals. While there are still instances where we may experience hunger up to three times a month, it occurs less frequently than before we started receiving cash aid.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, building a better house is the only objective I have. With our monthly remittances, my spouse and I have so far purchased 14 pieces of iron sheets. In the next three months, we want to complete the remaining fourteen. Then we shall look for timber, nails, and construction workers. We pray that it doesn't rain since the house is in horrible shape and we are frightened that it might fall on us if it does. We are optimistic that we will accomplish this goal by October.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My current residence was built 48 years ago. It has gotten older and is currently in poor condition because the walls are built of mud and the roof is thatched with grass. The roof is leaking and one part of the wall has already fallen off. Due to the current drought, it is expensive to buy grass. In addition, the roof's wood has weakened and is mostly shattered. I sell charcoal, but I no longer have the stamina to dig up wood logs to burn the charcoal because of my advanced age. As a result, I have a meager income that cannot support the building of a new home. I am happy to be a part of the program because I've since purchased some of the supplies I'll need to build a new home. I bought six pieces of iron sheeting for $60 using the transfers from the previous three months. I also spent $42 on groceries for my family members. I appreciate the organization's assistance.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES
access_time 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly's most important work is giving unconditional cash transfers to needy communities like mine. Everyone in my village applauds the organization's generous efforts to eradicate poverty. My wife and I are very grateful for the opportunity to build our new house as a result of the cash transfers. Give Directly is making our dream a reality and I could never be happier. Everything the company does is flawless in my perspective; there are no shortcomings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the last twenty years, I have been staying in a one-room grass-thatched mud house with my family. The roofing materials have worn out over time leaving holes in it that lets in water whenever it rains. This makes most of those rainy nights very cold and uncomfortable to the extent of depriving us of sleep. I have always desired to build a new two-room tin roof and mud wall house to provide a decent living for my wife and me but lack of money has inhibited the dream. Working as a casual laborer in house construction, the jobs rarely come by, making me work at most two days a week earning around $5. Given the size of my family (seven members) and the high cost of living, this amount cannot fund any want beyond the basics (food). I am glad that the Give Directly cash transfers are presenting an ideal chance to fulfill my dream of a new house. To start effecting this course, I used $20 from the transfer to obtain two pieces of iron sheets. I also spent $1.20 to pay examination fees for my two grandchildren examinations fees after they were sent home to collect the money. I spent the remaining transfer on food for we had starved the whole day.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As usual we were at home with my wife catching up on current affairs when suddenly my cellphone beeped from a distance. Since it was not within my reach, I asked one of my children to check on the message. I could not hide my joy when he informed me that indeed the message was from GiveDirectly. After telling my family members the entire house was lit up with joy for we knew that the journey towards constructing a new house was unstoppable for this was a dream come true for us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started getting transfer is being able to buy an iron sheet for the purposes of putting up new house in the near future. My wife and I are both beneficiaries of this program and we are more than determined to see to it that our dream of constructing a new house is realized. Thanks GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has been my desire to build a new house, however, lack of the adequate resources have been my main undoing. Currently, my house is in bad shape and it can hardly withstand harsh weather conditions such as heavy down pour and strong wind. It is in this regard that no sooner did I receive my cash transfer than I set aside KES 1000 that went into buying iron sheet. Since we are together with my wife in this, she also bought some iron sheets to that effect with part of her cash transfer . Indeed we are now optimistic noting that it is just a matter of time before we embark on building a modest house. Being a casual worker whereas my wife is a business lady, making ends meet for our family of five have never been smooth live alone saving for a modest house. Nevertheless, I am glad that GiveDirectly's cash transfer came through for us when we needed it most. Thank you GiveDirectly for now we are hopeful of achieving our dream.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house is not in a good condition and I have desired to construct a better one. This ambition has not come to reality due to financial instability. With this cash grant, I am so confident that, this dream will be coming through soon. To offset this dream, I am required to save my monthly transfers to raise 40000 KES, which I will pool with that of my wife to enable us to construct the new house. This will bring joy to my life since our livelihood will change for the better. On the other hand, I will also invest in livestock, especially goats to have a long-term project to support my family in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Working as a casual worker sometimes has a lot of challenges, but I am so grateful because, over the last 6 months, I have been able to get more chances to work. This has earned me some cash to sustain my family with food something that has contributed to our good health. Thus, I consider this as what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a father and a husband comes with a lot of responsibilities that one needs to work extra hard to sustain the family. Considering my casual work which is also not consistent to get, I usually earn 500 KES per day, an income that does not fully cater to our basic needs. Sometimes, we are forced to forfeit meals. This has robbed away my joy as a father and thus, the lack of a reliable source of income becomes my biggest challenge.