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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($467 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?
I do not have a new goal, I had plan on building a better house but I did not had the money at that time. After receiving the transfer I bought building materials and ready to build a better and spacious house for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better house and to purchase dairy cows. The enrollment was done fairy and everyone received the money as expected. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent half of the second transfer to purchased building materials ready to build a better house. We live in a small house which cannot host all my family comfortably. I saved KES 5,000 planning to start the construction process during this coming holiday. I paid KES 10,000 for school fees, I have tow children in secondary school. This was one of the biggest challenge. They used to be sent home to collect the school fees and this was affecting their performance since they could stay home for quite some time before I get the money. I am so grateful because they are now studying well without being disturbed. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes. I am so grateful for the support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 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 I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 10 am I had taken my goats for grazing. I had left my phone at home. When I went back home, I decided to check my phone as usually, little did I know there was a message from GiveDirectly. When I checked it out I couldn't believe my eyes because I have never received such amount of money before. I immediately inform my family members and they were so happy too. I knew I would be able to buy a piece of land. I had always wished to own a land but I didn't had the money. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have purchased a piece of land. This has always been my dream. I depend on small scale farming and mostly casual jobs in the village. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and it's only for food and school fees for my children. I had no extra money to buy a land. I had no other source of income. Currently I own a piece of land and I am so happy because GiveDirectly has fulfilled my dream. I am waiting for the second transfer so that I can fence it well and start to build a house and buy a cow. Living with parents at my age with children around is so costly and has no privacy. I will have a piece of mind and I will have time to do my own activities including an horticulture farming which I had always wished to practice. My children are so happy because they know that they will have a place to call their own home.
They will have privacy and space to do their own activities without being disturbed. I am so grateful for support because GiveDirectly has enabled me to own a piece of land.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 4000 to pay school fees for my child in secondary school. He was able to study well without being sent home like before. I purchased a piece of land at a cost of 46,000. I am so grateful because this was my dream. I stay with my parents at home and I had always wished to own a piece of land and build my own house and do horticulture farming. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled me to own a piece of land.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am currently living in a 0.1 acre of land that my parents gave me so that my children can have a home. It is small and I cannot cultivate to get substantial harvest for sale from it.My ambition has always been to own a piece of land that I can do farming to get enough food for my family rather that buying. The KES 200 per day I earn from the casual jobs I do at other people's farm is not enough to see this dream come to pass. Receiving this money will mean I will get to buy half an acre piece of land. The thought of this makes excited and also my children will have a place to call their own.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I get food to put on the table. Most of the days I leave the house at 8.00 Am to go and work at other people's farms. Some days I get work to do and sometimes I may fail to get because it is seasonal. Going back home in the evening after earning a from a day's work makes me feel satisfied.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a single mother of four at the same time my aged and sickly mother is under my care. I cannot go far from home to fend for my family and sometimes I am forced to stay at home for several days looking after her because she cannot do anything by her own. This has affected me psychologically and also financially. My ability to provide for my family has reduced and yet I do not have any other source of income.
