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 ($528 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I was not in a position to buy a dairy cow as well as save enough to pay school fees for my children who joined college. I am so happy because it was made possible when I received the money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving out cash to the poor people in the community to improve their standard of living. I do not find out what GiveDirectly did not do well since they fulfilled all their promises on time.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend my second transfer on paying school fees for my son who was joining form one and the one who joined college and the rest of the money I used it to buy food for the family and settle hospital bills.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is the assets that I have been looking forward to owning in my life. For a long time, I have been fully dependent on casual labour to raise my family and this has not provided me with enough resources that can allow me to buy such valuable assets. I had equally felt the pain of buying milk which had proven to be very costly. When I was finally able to buy these assets and be empowered, I felt I had achieved a lot from my end as I look forward to achieving even more.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had was aware that we were going to receive our money that day. I waited patiently the whole day to receive the money albeit with doubts. When the day ended and it was night time, my hopes were diminished. I slept feeling hopeless and somehow giving up. At around 5:00 am I heard my phone ring and on checking, I was so delighted to find out that I had just received a sum of KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I could not control my joy then and I started screaming so loudly as I celebrated the moment. My children even got surprised with my actions but they could do little to control my actions then. Never before had I received such amount of money in my life before.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used KES 40000 of my first transfer to buy a cow with a calf and used KES 9000 was used to buy goats. The remaining amount of approximately KES 6000 was used to buy the basic household needs. I am a single mother of two and I hardly had any asset at my disposal until I received these transfers. I entirely depended on casual labour to raise the money needed to meet the basic household needs.Going forward, I have plans of buying a piece of land that would enable me keep more livestock and educate my children with much ease as they progress in their education. I couldn't be more proud than I am now and my self esteem couldn't be this high without GiveDirectly transfers.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been a caretaker of people's livestock almost all my adulthood. Receiving this money means independence and ownership of a dairy cow worth 350 usd for the first time in my life. With two of my children expected to join high school early next year, this cow is going to become my source of income to see them through school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
There are so many problems in my home. Almost everyday I have quarrels with one of my brothers. When he gets drunk he reminds me everyday that I am unwelcome in their land after my divorce. I go out for casual labour to get food for my children after which I attend a merry go round in the evening. This is where I unwind after a tough day of carrying baggage from confrontation with my brother. Having conversations with my friends about anything makes me relaxed and elevate my moods. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Would you imagine surviving on a 0.1 acre piece of land which is expected to feed a family of 7? As an unmarried woman in my culture, I do not have right to ownership of land. When I got divorced this is the only piece of land given to me under the mercies of my mother. I use the land to plant maize and is still a grazing land for my cow. I have 3 children in school and my greatest worry is that their fees is going to overwhelm me especially that they are joining secondary school next year.
