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
55000 KES ($455 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently do not have any new goals .I'm happy to have achieved what I set out to accomplish .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly has helped alleviate poverty in my community and for that I am very grateful .
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In my village, we have mainly relied on subsistence farming to feed our families. Unfortunately, this year,we experienced a bad drought and crops failed. I'm thankful the transfers came at a good time, as I could buy food for my family. I spent 16,000 kshs to buy 4 goats which I will resell at a profit. I also bought a dairy cow at 15,000 kshs which will provide milk for sale and also my consumption.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard the good news about the transfer when I was at the dam fetching water for my family's use. Some of the villagers were narrating how they received the transfer that GiveDirectly officers promised during the enrollment stages. I was very anxious to know if I had received it too since we were enrolled at the same time. I handed over my phone to one of the relatives who checked it and informed me that I had received the transfer. I was very happy for receiving the transfer knowing that I will be able to accomplish my desires.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I am currently able to meet my essential needs like food without much sweat unlike before. Previously, I was having one meal per day. This is because my job of firewood vending at our nearby market could not earn me enough income to comfortably cater for the family's needs like food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase proper bedding that costs KES 7000 in total. Previously, I was sleeping on a wooden raised surface using old rags as my bedding. In addition, I spent KES 25,000 to improve the condition of my house by building an additional room because the one I had was very small to fully accommodate my household's items. Furthermore, I spent KES 7000 to boost my goat rearing by purchasing 2 more goats and 4 chickens. This was to serve as my long-term investment in the family. They will assist me whenever I encounter any financial crisis in the future. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food for the family since we are experiencing famine in our area.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Hunger is the biggest challenge in my house. I am a widow living alone in my house. I have 1 daughter who was married in another town and they are also facing life challenges of which they are unable to assist me. I have to sell firewood inorder to put food on the table. I am expiriencing a hard life each and every day in my life. I sold firewood and saved little money of which I build my small house but I have been sleeping on the floor for 4 years now . I don't have beddings and I cannot afford to buy them because the money I get from my firewood business is too little in a way that it cannot give me 2 meals in a day. Receiving this money means I will have food security for my house. I will buy a stock of food so that I can eat well. I will buy a modern bed with a mattress , buy clothes so that I can look better. I will save my second transfer and buy goats so that I can have wealthy in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter sent me 1500 KES last month because I was sick. I spent 500 KES for treatment and the balance I bought 7 packets of 2kilograms maize flour, beans and dried fish. This brought happiness and joy to me because I had food stock in my house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Getting daily meals is the biggest challenge for me. Getting fresh water for drinking is also a bigger challenge. The whole village relies on a borehole with salt water which is not safe for drinking. I have been sleeping on the floor for the last 4 years now. If I fall sick, I do not have anyone to take care for me nor take me to hospital. If I fail to sell my firewood, then I have to go to bed without food.
