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 ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have changed my life a lot because for one I have been able to build a new kitchen structure which i never had before. Additionally, I have a one acre farm of crops which will generate some profits for me in the unforeseeable future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I think does well buy giving the needy some unconditional transfers which they use to improves. their own lives
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money on buying building materials such as iron sheets, timber, nails and also used some to pay for the labor charge. I also use a portion of the money to buy a few clothes to add to the capacity of my wardrobe.
I also managed to buy seedlings and planted some sugarcane in a one acre piece of farm.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($540 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the comfort I get while preparing meals. This is because I now have a kitchen and I no longer cook on the open air thus there is no more dust that fills the food while cooking and at the same time I do incur extra costs when it rains of purchasing charcoal.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was one afternoon while I was washing clothes when I heard my phone vibrate severally. At first, I was hesitant to check the phone then later when it persisted I decided to check the message and to my disbelief, it was a confirmation message that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I felt happy, knelt and prayed to thank God for the money and for God to bless GD.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I constructed a kitchen with a bigger part of the money I received from GiveDirectly because I didn't have a kitchen and previously I could cook on open air. This was unhealthy because the wind blew dust and sand on the food while cooking. In addition to that, I used to be inconvenienced by the rain which could force me to purchase charcoal so that I could cook in the main house because I couldn't use firewood in the main house since smoke emitted could ruin most of the households and the roof too. This was an additional expense. A portion of the money I spent on both a cow and a goat as a way of investment because I expect to have an additional cow after it has given birth.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to pay school fees to my children and start a small business to support them. I have always wanted to start a food kiosk business in our local market where I am currently working as a casual employee to an old lady. This transfer will see this dream come true because many clients are fond of me and I believe once I open my own food kiosk they will move with me. I have had to struggle to buy school items and fees for my children because after I lost my husband who was the breadwinner, I have been the one to meet all the family needs and this transfer is now like my husband, it will even enable me buy my children Christmas clothes like their father used to do.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually during the day when I meet a lot of customers in the hotel. Some of these customers are very kind when you serve them, out of kindness others tip me and I save the tips to meet my family needs in the evening. This makes me more happy and motivated to work because I know at the end of the day my children will not sleep hungry.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am faced with is lack of money to start my own business and to take care of my family. At the hotel where I work, we are always paid very little money that cannot meet my family food and clothing needs. I always end up using all my daily earnings in buying food alone. This has seen my children go to school without proper school uniform and at times I have to borrow money from friends to take my children to hospital when they fall sick.
