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 ($491 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?
Looking at our current living standard, I can attest to the fact that a lot has really changed. The complete construction of a new house and bringing in livestock to our fields would have never happened if we had received the transfer. We are really glad and grateful that this happened to us, and at such a moment when we needed it most.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
After GiveDirectly visited our village, excitement was all over and everyone already knew that the guardian angels we had been expecting were finally in. We received them with high hopes and indeed a lot changed after. Looking back at the great work that GiveDirectly has done in our village - giving us unconditional cash without dictating to us what to spend on was the best part of it. To every human in our village, it has been a story to tell each time a visitor comes. This in my opinion was great and has always amazed many since it is unique only to this organization. On the flip side, we have never felt any negativity or an ill comment since every household got a share of the transfer by the time they were done.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the transfer, we were really excited to finally spend on the many things we had been wishing for in our household. We had to sort the housing issue first having lived in a small house, so hold that it was always leaking during rainy seasons. With almost three-quarters of the transfer, we bought construction on material which included iron sheets, woods, paid transportation, and also the construction labor. We spent the remaining on buying household foodstuff, obtained a piece of new furniture from the local carpentry shop and the last bit of the transfer went to the purchase of a new garment for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the message at 7.03am in the morning when I was taking breakfast and I left breakfast on the table to go get the money as soon as possible for the fear of conmen. When I got back is when I realized I did not finish taking my breakfast.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
We used to buy milk when we could afford and stay without when we could not. When I received the GiveDirectly transfers, I bought a cow that I am milking right now and my joy is that we no longer buy milk and we can enjoy a 'milky' cup of tea everyday. I also built a kitchen since the one I had was grass thatched and very old. Right now I enjoy preparing food in my new kitchen since it is new and clean.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I built a 24 iron sheet house a which is my kitchen and bought a cow since I did not have any and we used to buy milk.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to increase the size of my house and also buy two dairy cattle. Currently, I reside in a small house that is less spacious together with my kids. I intend to use 300USD to extend one room on either side of my house of which one will be study room plus bedroom for my kids and the other one sitting room for all of us. This will ensure that there is privacy amongst all of us and also an ample space for the kids to study and sleep. Additionally, I will use 400USD to purchase two exotic dairy cattle to supplement my family with milk and the surplus sell to the nearby shopping center. This will ensure I have a regular source of income to sustain my family. The remaining balance from the transfer will be to buy household furnitures.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After I am done with my usual household chores, I then plan for my activities of the day. My happiest part of the day normally falls in the morning as I plan for the day and realize that I already have food for the whole day for my kids to take. This will be an indication that I will not be able to go toil in other people's farm so as to get money to buy food for them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Provision of staple food for my family has been the biggest hardship I have ever faced. This is so because, for the past 10 years I have been planting maize in my farm with zero harvest due to poor rainfall pattern and pests and diseases. I reside in an area that is considered as semi arid and so I have been continuously buying maize all throughout the year. With no regular source of income, getting the cash to buy maize has been an uphill task for me.
