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 ($461 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a new goal that emerged after receiving the cash transfers which is to start a business( buying and selling goats). Since I am now jobless and only depend on my spouse for all our basic needs I believe by starting the business with being of help not only to myself but to the entire family. I will be able to pay fees timely for my kids without straining my life before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly was the best organization and I will always be thankful for being one of the beneficiaries. The financial support has enabled me to own a decent house, and livestock and send my children to school. Were it not for them I would still be living a miserable life and I do not see any sector that GiveDirectly needs to change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying pieces of iron sheets, and building poles which cost around KES 33000. This was for the construction of a new house because the previous one was small and grass thatched. All my children used to sleep at their grandmother's houses. Also, during the rainy season, it was so stressful because we could be rained on till the rains stops. I later paid school fees of KES 3500 for my kids who are in primary school. They were always at home because of the arrears which have been affecting their performance. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my ten family members which took us almost three months.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home relaxing when I heard my message tone ring twice and I said to myself " that's so unusual. I call my eldest son to check was was it all about and he screamed, " you have received transfers from GiveDirectly". I couldn't believe it as I had to wait for my second born to confirm. I was so happy and I couldn't wait my husband to come home to tell him about it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that we nolonger have to go a whole day without food and we are happy as a family that soon we will have a big house with enough space.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has not been easy sharing a one room house with my nine children. The house is grass thatched and overtime, it had started leaking from the top because the prolonged drought had made it hard to replace the grass. We had hope that we would buy iron sheets and build another bigger house but the high prices of food and other family responsibilities wouldn't allow my husband who is a casual labourer earning average daily wage of Ksh 200 fulfill his dreams. Being enrolled in GiveDirectly was a big releave to us as we knew most of our goals were going to be fulfilled. Right now, I'm building a three roomed house which has so far costed me Ksh 23500 of my first transfer. I also spent Ksh 2500 to pay school fees for my children and I'm planning to use the balance to buy the remaining house materials as well as buying food my my kids.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means shelter for my family of 11 members. I have been living in a small house whose roofing is made of grasses. This has stressed me because I have to renovate it after every 9 months. After all, the grass does not last for a long time when it is rained on. My ambition has been to build a semi-permanent house that will be a solution to my problem. I am planning to spend 80,000 KES to construct it. This will enable us to live a comfortable life and I will be able to concentrate on other this. In addition, I will spend the remaining part of the transfer to invest in livestock farming which will generate income for my family in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It was in May this year, one of my siblings who stays in a different location brought his livestock to me because the area he lives in is experiencing drought. Most of the cows had calves therefore they produce milk. This brought happiness to me because I use the milk for consumption and my children are enjoying it. Sometimes I sell at least 2 liters and earn 100 KES which I use for other basic needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a casual laborer in our nearby center. Though I have been doing this job for 2 years now, the wages of 200 KES in a day is very little to sustain all our needs such as food and shelter. Approximately, my family spends 300 KES in a day. Securing a good job has been the biggest hardship I am experiencing.
