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 ($469 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 am planning to pay my wife's dowry because I have never paid a single cent.I also intend to buy an additional piece of land because the one I have is only a quarter of an acre.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well because through the transfers I was able to built a kitchen and buy dairy cow which I couldn't afford before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on a heifer, a young bull, two young goats, as tokens for my wife's dowry payment.The rest will be used on dowry day celebration.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at my barbershop going about my daily activities when at 9 a.m, I received a message notification. I decided to check my phone and saw that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was so excited and eager to start building a new house for my family and acquire livestock.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a dairy cow that can supply my family with milk is a dream come true.
Before receiving this cash transfer, we had to buy milk for use at home, at KES 60 per litre, every day. This, however, was not financially sustainable for us. I own a barbershop, which is my family's only source of income. On a good day, I can earn KES 500 from this. This amount is not enough to pay for all our living expenses including food, clothing and education.
And so I'm pleased that this is no longer the case. From the amount that we received, we bought a dairy cow that supplies us with enough milk. We get to save the KES 60 that we would spend on the same and spend it on other needs. We have also built a modern, spacious house. My family now has a decent place to call home. This transfer has truly transformed our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always desired to own cattle that could supply my family with milk. Since we didn't have any, we had to buy a litre of milk for use at home, at KES 60, every day. This became too costly for my family since my only source of income is a barbershop. The money I earn from this business is not enough to sustain our living expenses of food, clothing and education. So, once I received this transfer, I spent KES 35,000 on acquiring a dairy cow. It's amazing that my household now has a steady supply of milk. I also spent KES 19,000 on the construction of a new house. The one we lived in previously was old and too small to accommodate all family members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean a lot. I am a barber at Kabuson shopping centre. That's the business that I do daily. With the transfer, I will use KES 25,000 to expand it so that I can have a salon in that space. I will use KES 45,000 to construct a kitchen since I use the main house as the kitchen and also sleeping area. This is uncomfortable since I have a little baby and the smoke that comes from the kitchen is not good for the baby. I will use the rest of the amount to buy a cow because it is costly to buy milk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. I am always happy at this time because with the clients I get for my business and the money they pay for my service, I am sure that I can buy food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I can say the biggest hardship that I have faced in my life is financial constraints. I did not go to secondary school because my parents did not have money to pay for my fees. This has affected me because I cannot have a formal job and have to rely on casual jobs together with my small business to support my family.
