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 ($492 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Had I not received the money my life would still have not improved. My children would still be walking and sleeping in rags because I could not afford other decent clothing and bedding. In a ddition if it was not for the money I would not be having ox plough. I am glad and l will forever be grateful to GD for the big steps I made.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly does a good job by giving people cash and let them decide on how to spend them. Through the transfers most people's lives have improved a lot. I would encourage the organisation to continue doing the good work and I have not seen any area that they are not doing good at.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought both an ox and ox-plough with part of the second transfer so as to add to the two oxen that I bought with the first transfer. I will not budget for ploughing labour anymore and I will also earn income from them since I will be ploughing for people at a few. Besides that, we normally struggle by walking for a longer distance in search of water so the oxen will help in carrying water. I also bought some of the food stuffs for the family and bedding too.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly seven in the morning when I was heading to the dam to fetch water, then I heard my mobile phone vibrating. This was an indication to me that there was a new incoming message. Without wasting time, I decided to check its content, I was overwhelmed with joy after realizing it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a pair of oxen. Initially, I used to hire from friends which were quite expensive and sometimes I could not afford it. Whenever I did not have enough money for labour, I was forced to dig my own farm and this meant that I would only dig and plant a small section of my farm and leave the rest to idle. Currently I am a happy farmer because I can now plough my farm in good time and I have also been able to save the expenses of hiring labour. I am positive that I would have a good harvest over the coming seasons because I am now in a position to utilize my whole farm.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, timber, nails, ropes, and building poles. This was purposely for the construction of a new house since the previous one was in critical condition and very small. Also, I bought a pair of oxen and some two goats as my living assets at a total of KES 36000. I later bought some decent clothes for my children and with the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs that would take us to at least three to four weeks.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Investing in my children's education is what receiving this money means to me. I have 10 children which I need to educate them to the college level. This desire requires a lot of cash to materialize. I am planning to purchase 2 cows at $150 each this will be me future investment and I will be able to sell them once they reproduce to educate my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend my mornings doing my household chores like preparing breakfast for my children up to the afternoon. It is in the afternoon that I am through with my activities, I use this time to relax under the shade while assisting my kids to study. Spending time with them gives me joy knowing that it through this that my ambition is realized.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of school fees to further my children's education has forced my first 2 daughters to opt into early marriages a thing that troubles my mind. My depend on my casual job of local wine tapping which earns him 2 dollars per day, with a family of 12 members this income is hardly enough and mostly spend on food. Leaving no coin for the children's educational needs.
