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 ($442 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?
I have a new goal of starting a small business that would help me and my family sustain our needs much more efficiently. I currently depend so much on casual labour to raise money and support my family which sometimes provided me with very little.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well by giving us money and opportunity to choose how to spend the money.Right now I have two dairy cows and have built my own house.this would not have happened if we were not given the freedom to choose
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the entire transfer to build a new house. I chose to build a new house because I did not have one. Was staying in a very small house with my entire family which did not provide the much needed comfort . I had not been able to build a better house since I was relying on odd casual jobs to make ends meet
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
After receiving the message confirming the great news that early morning, I knew all the plans we had we soon going to be a reality. With my family, we were thankful to God and GiveDirectly for delivering the promise they had given us during enrollment by the officers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in the purchase of a lactating cow that is currently providing us with milk.I am happy that we no longer purchase milk on a daily basis and we have diverted the money into buying other household items.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After a long period of time we had been purchasing milk at a high price and at times we would forgo for some days. With KES 25,000 I purchased a lactating cow we is currently giving us adequate milk for consumption. I also bought furniture at a cost of KES 3,000 since I didn't have any seat and I used to shy off welcoming visitors. With the remaining amount, I bought clothes for entire family members.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My life as a young man has been with so many struggles right from the time I turned 18 some 7 years ago. I dropped out of school at grade 6 because partially my parents never valued education instead they valued livestock more so I was made to stay at home with them and take care of the livestock. They also believe that education is a liability because they will sell all their property to pay school fees and after completing, I might still fail to secure employment. When things fell apart with education, I went to live away from home for 4 years doing casual jobs in the town I was living in, and luckily I managed to save KES.50,000 at the end of the 4 years. This money enabled me to purchase the land am currently living in and the peace of mind I have had since then is tremendous. I would like to be a full-time farmer now going forward so that I can be producing food for my consumption and some for sale. This will also enable me to get married and pay dowry easily.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was given a new crop variety by World Vision to try on my farm last year and in September I successfully harvested more than what I expected and at the same time sold everything. This gave me a lot of happiness because I made enough money to buy me maize seeds and fertilizer for this season planting.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I would wish to have a life companion because I am of age right now but I cannot afford to pay dowry. I am so worried about the same because if I delay further I might get children at a time when my body is no longer strong to fend for them. I also have a challenge with my farming because I have a good piece of land but I cannot afford to buy the inputs.
