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?
My new goal is for me to be able to start a business that would generate an income for me, I never had the opportunity before because I had to prioritise building a better shelter for my family, but I am hopeful that I will be able to start one with the little savings from my casual job.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The transfer was God sent, I have never witnessed any organization giving out such a huge amount without restriction before, we are humbled to be part of the beneficiaries.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Building a house was my major priority, this is because I used to live in a small grass-thatched house, I was unable to build a decent house before due to financial constraints, thus, when I was promised the unconditional cash, I saw it fit to construct an iron sheet house, hence I used KES 15,000, I then used KES 15,000 in paying back a debt, and lastly, I bought a goat at KES 4000 thereafter purchased foodstuffs with the remaining amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On this day, I was working on the farm as I do on most mornings. At 9 a.m, I received a message notification that I had received KES 55,0000 from GiveDirectly. Words can not describe how happy I was to receive the financial help that I had desired for so long.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am so grateful for the fact that my family now has access to clean water. Before, we had to fetch water from the well, about 30 minutes from our home. This process is usually very exhausting and I could not wait for the day I could afford to buy a water tank. This transfer has enabled us to do just that. We now harvest our water for use at home and life is so much better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For as long as I can remember, we have always had to fetch water from the well that is about 30 minutes away. The process is usually so tedious. This is why I was so happy to spend KES 15,000 on acquiring a water tank so we could harvest water. It was also necessary to buy foodstuff for the family, so I spent KES 10,000 on the same, to ensure we had enough for the household. Lastly, I spent KES 20,000 on paying off debt from the purchase of a piece of land.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean I'm able to finish construction and my family can move into a bigger house. We have a small hut that serves as a kitchen, bedroom and sitting room. I had saved some amount and started building a better house with a sitting room and 2 rooms but it is incomplete. I hope to use KES 20,000 of my transfer to complete the house so that we can move in and the hut can remain as a kitchen. Now that it's almost rainy season I will need a tank worth KES 20,000 to collect the rain water that will sustain the family when there's drought. The remaining amount of money will help my family in purchasing food, clothes and a small piece of land to practice maize farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning, I wake up early to prepare breakfast for my husband so that he can go to work and fend for the family. Seeing him healthy to start the day each morning is when I'm the happiest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we've faced is financial constraints, I'm a stay at home wife who depends on my husband's salary. He works as a casual labourer within the village at someone's homestead and he's paid KES 6,000 per month. With inflation, his income is hardly enough to put food on our table nor provide better shelter for the family.
