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 almost 3 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 how it has been before because through the transfer I am now a proud owner of the livestock. I basically purchased them for my children's education and since they are still young, once they transition to secondary schools and colleges I will have saved a lot from these investments. Also since I am a single parent depending on the odd jobs, I had no hopes of owning a nice house. I used to stay in a very small hut and as my family grows I was afraid it couldn't accommodate us. I am now happier because I own a very spacious house and I no longer have to worry about my family on this matter.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly had been doing an amazing job in my village by helping us financially. We have been able to accomplish most of our long-time dreams such as building nice houses, owning livestock, and sending our children to school. To be sincere this organization has brought a major change into the entire village from the positives are clearly seen.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying livestock which includes a dairy cow at KES 25000, and three goats at KES 3200 each. These have been the valuable assets that I have been dreaming to own but I could not afford them becsue they were very costly. In addition, I bought some pieces of iron sheets to complete constructing my house which I had earlier started using the first transfers. In addition, I cleared the medical bills since I have been suffering from stomach ulcers for quite a long time. I am glad a am faring well now. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was awakened by the loud vibrations from my mobile phone. I was nervous and I quickly decided to check what was the content of the message. I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy because I was positive that my financial problems would come to an end.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daqily life is that I will forever mention is the fact that I now own a dairy cow and a few goats. I have really been aspiring to keep them in my compound but I could not afford them because they are costly. With the dairy cow will be getting milk for free and I will use a few litres for my family's consumption and for the remaining ng litres I will sell them to our nearby town centres. I am ambitious that this will make me become wealthier in a short period of time hence I will no on longer strain in meeting family's needs as I used to do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock which includes a diary cow and three goats. It has been my desire to own them but since I was poor I could not afford to buy them. In addition, I bought a new bed, a mattress, and some nice bedsheets. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and some other items such as new jerricans.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been having a desire of owning a grocery business but due to financial problems, I have not been able to do so. When I receive this money I intend to use 10,000 shillings to start a grocery, business that will provide income to assist in any financial emergency. Also, I will use 30,000 shillings to build a 3 roomed house for my family. I will save 20,000 shillings which will help in paying school fees for my daughter when schools resume. The remaining amount will be used to buy food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a fish vendor, I usually sell my fish at our village and the nearby village. I always walk around with my bucket in the sunshine to sell. This business becomes tiresome. Sometimes the fish remains and when it reaches the next day it becomes difficult to sell them again to customers, so I got losses. However, when it reaches the evening it becomes the happiest part of my day because this is the time I feel relieved also we share our meals with the family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My business is a fish vendor, I have been doing this business for a long after separating from my husband. I usually get an income of 3,000 shillings per month which is not enough to start the grocery business as well as expanding my business. Therefore the Financial crisis becomes the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.
