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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
With GiveDirectly's transfers, I was able to sat for my exams and was able to complete my course which I had no hopes to complete due to lack of school fees. Now I have graduated and ready to work. Again, we were able to build a house which would have taken us some time before we get enough resources to spend on buying construction materials. All these wouldn't have happened without the support we received from GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I like what GiveDirectly did by giving us cash transfers which enabled us to improve our standard of living. From the look of things within my surroundings, people put the money into good use.
There was nothing which was not done well by this amazing organization. The process was so fair to everyone and there was no fishy acts.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With my first transfers, I managed to construct our house half way and when I received my second transfers, I spent KES 15000 on completing the house. After completion, I bought some furniture for the new house at a cost of KES10000. I also bought some foodstuffs at a cost of KES5000 and the remaining amount I spent on buying clothes for my family members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($503 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was just from an exam room in college and I was in the house when I heard a message notification on my phone. I checked it and to my surprise, it was an M-PESA message saying that we had received the first transfer of 55000/= from GiveDirectly. I was so excited to see this and I could not hide my joy. I called my husband to inform him of the good news. He was so happy on the other end to hear this. We knew that our dreams were now going to be fulfilled after getting this fortune.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
This money has brought a lot of positive changes in our lives. We have been able to complete building the main house that we had left pending due to lack of money. We therefore no longer have stress about where we are going to get money to finish building the house. Having completed it, we can now just focus on building the kitchen which is the only one remaining. The transfer also enabled me to complete paying for my college fees which was a requirement before I could register and sit for my final examinations. I am so glad that I have been able to achieve this and I am assured that I will be able to get the certificate that I have always yearned for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This transfer from GiveDirectly has helped us in a big way. We have been able to complete building the main house that we had not finished building. The money also helped me in completing paying for my college fees. I had lacked the money to complete paying the fees and it was a requirement before I could be allowed to register for my final examinations. The main house had been left pending completion because most of the money that we get usually goes to payment of my school fees and buying basic needs such as food. This has therefore been difficult for us to achieve.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a student in my second year in college studying General Agriculture and my spouse who is a driver in a security company is the one financing my education. Receiving this money therefore will enable me to lessen his struggles by clearing my next year's school fees of $300. I will also buy one Friesian cow for $400 to ensure constant daily income from selling milk as well as no more worries about where to get money to buy milk for domestic use. I also intend to buy 100 improved chicken breeds that will enable me to initiate a chicken rearing project hence financial independence on my side. The capital for this project will cost approximately $300.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My usual day entails going to the farm in the morning till midday when I head back home to do my household chores such as washing my house, doing laundry, and cooking. Once I'm done with the day's work, taking a rest as I wait for my spouse to come back home from work makes evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am so passionate about rearing chicken for commercial purposes but lack of capital to initiate this project has made this dream futile. My main motive is to be a financially independent woman, to support my spouse in providing for our family. I still have one more year to complete my studies in college and he is the one financing my school fees, yet he is also being depended on by his parents and siblings at home.
