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 ($454 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 did not have any new goal before receiving the transfer I had planned on purchasing a heifer and paying school fees for my children in various schools.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. There living standards and improved compared to previous days. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 on purchasing a heifer. I will be able to get enough milk for my family when it reproduces in the future. I will cut the daily cost of buying very expensive milk. I spent KES 10,000 on school fees for my children in various secondary schools. They can study well without being disturbed like before. I used part of the money on building materials for the new house. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and other basic household items. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 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 my transfer I felt very good and so excited. I least expected to receive that transfer at that moment. It was late in the evening at around 6pm and I was in the company of my family when I noticed a message alert in my phone. During that season I was really in need of money because my family was going through some financial constraint. Thanks to God that the transfer came when I was in great need.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I began receiving my transfer is owning a new house. I had been living in a small house since almost all my income were always diverted towards supporting my first born son who is currently in college. Having a new and better house makes me feel better because I do not always need to be worried about where my children can be spending. Secondly, I am happy that I was also able to give support to promote my son's education. I hope that when he succeeds in his academics, he will be able to support his younger siblings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer on buying some building materials with an intention to build a new big house. The items costed KES 30,000 because I prioritized to save bit of it to support my family to obtain food. In addition, I used about KES 10,000 to support my son who is in college and KES 1,500 helped me in offsetting school fees for my children in primary school. I opted to build a house because the previous one was too small to comfortably accommodate all my household members. I am so happy that moving forward, I shall be living a stress free life.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have two children in university who require KES 80,000 every year for their school fees. This is a challenge to me since I do not have a job and rely on menial jobs for their school fees and education. Receiving this money will enable me to pay their school fees for the next year without any worry. I plan to buy a cow with KES 30,000 from the transfer to supplement the income that I get from my job by selling milk to the nearby dairy cooperative.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am grateful that for the last six or more months this year, we have received sufficient rainfall that has enabled me to plant and harvest maize and beans that I feed my family with. Seeing my family happy and having food has brought me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is financial constraints. I do menial jobs to take care of my family but the money that I get is not sufficient to meet all the needs. Another challenge that I face is food security because our area is prone to drought that cannot enable me to produce and store food for my family.
