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 ($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?
Everything that I had planned before receiving the transfer was accomplished, and after all that, I was motivated to do a lot. I am currently having a new goal of buying a piece of land. Currently, I am living in a small piece that I bought since the family land was so small that, after subdivision amongst my siblings, it was barely enough to construct a home over it. I am running a livestock buying and selling business at the moment that has boosted my savings a great deal. All my hopes are on it at the moment as I scout within the village for a piece of land that I can afford to start paying in the next few months.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly giving us an unconditional transfer that was neither influenced by the government nor any community leader was the best decision ever. Everyone received an equal share and had to plan at the household level and for the household benefit. I have no ill-feeling over the execution of the project but wish that the same that happened in our village would happen in other villages as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After spending all the first transfer on the plans that we had as a household, the second transfer opened a new chapter when I spent KES 18000 on a bullock. This is an investment that I hope to see its fruits in the future since I am raisin to sell it out for beef in the future. I also spent KES 11000 on buying two goats specifically to provide my family with milk and to also breed and ensure that they multiply to be sold in the future. With the remaining amount, I spent KES 4000 on my child's upkeep in school, paid KES 16000 for my daughter and son in secondary school, obtained foodstuff for my household worth KES 4000 for my family of eight, and spent the remaining amount on clothing for my household. I am grateful to GiveDirectly to this far since all the great projects I had been able to accomplish have been possible just after receiving the support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was about to step out of the house when I heard my phone ringing, upon checking the message I saw a Mpesa message shoeing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was so overwhelmed with joy that I never proceeded to where I was heading to but instead, we embarked on planning on how we would spend our transfer, we were so happy because we knew that we will be able to cater for the school fees arrears of our children. I am so thankful for the transfer that lifted our lives positively.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
GiveDirectly has lifted my life greatly, I am so happy that I was able to revive my business which had gone down, it was no longer productive, this was because we all depended on it on our daily livelihood, secondly, I was able to clear the school fees arrears which meant that this time around my children would not be sent home to collect school fees, unlike before where they were on and off from school. I am so grateful for the transfer that brought sunshine to our lives, the impact is so evident in our village as a whole.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My business was on the verge of collapsing due to so many responsibilities, I am the sole breadwinner with six children in school, school fees have been my major challenge, when I received my transfer my wife and I decided to use the transfer in paying the fee arrears, therefore we used KES 18,000, I then used KES 20,000 in reviving my business so that we would have a reliable source of income, lastly I bought furniture and food with the remaining amount of money. I am grateful for the support that gave me a second chance to set up my business once more.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Sheep and goats' business is what I have been relying on for the past three years. However, last month was the hardest time in my business. Two of my children just joined secondary school where I had to use my business capital to pay their school fees. This has brought my business to almost on its knees. Receiving this money means that I can regain it. I will spend about KES 20,000 to circulate in the business. I hope to return my profits to about KES 1000 per week.I will also buy my own livestock to rear at a cost of KES 40,000. This will increase my daily income from farming from KES 100 to about KES 200 that will be enough to provide my household with food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is mainly because I enjoying seeing my children at home, after school. It is always encouraging to see them go to bed happy because my efforts tending to livestock all day, and doing business has provided food for them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I am facing is lack of money for my children in school. I have two children in a secondary school, one in college and the rest in primary school. It is difficult to sufficiently meet their education needs given that I rely on a small business that I do once a week,.on a market day. On average, I make about KES 4000 in a month. It worries me seeing that more children are heading to their secondary level, which will be more expensive than the money I make.
