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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($435 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal now is to focus on farming and dairy keeping. This would earn me some income through the sales of the surplus produce. I will use the money on meeting my daily basic needs and even save some for emergencies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The enrollment was done well without any discrimination and most of the people who qualified to receive the transfer spent it well. Most people build better houses and even invested in dairy-keeping projects. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $250 on purchasing a water tank, Getting clean water in our area is not easy one has to walk for quite a long distance. This is so tedious and time-consuming, Due to my old age I would send my grandchildren to fetch water for me. I am so happy now ion that I have clean water at home and I no longer get exposed to water-related diseases. I no longer get worried about whom to send to the river to fetch water for me because plenty of water now. The remaining amount of money I spent on food, clothes and basic household needs that we were lacking.
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 rarely use my phone due to illiteracy and old age and despite owning one, I usually depend on my children to help me make calls or read any SMS. Because of this, I didn't know that GiveDirectly had sent the promised money on that beautiful day until my helper informed me. This news made me so happy as getting such an amount for free is always impossible since most people want to gain one or two things in what they do.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have money that I am planning to use in building a house for my family and this makes my daily life different. I would have started the construction process but I have not been able to since I am not feeling well and I want to be the one buying the construction materials. I am always happy when I think about the money that is in my possession as it gives me hope that I will soon live in a new house free of dust.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I spent KES 4000 on medication since I was sick when I received them. Also, I spent KES 10000 on clothes, food, and other household necessities for my family. I still have KES 40000 that I am planning to use in buying materials to use in building a house for my family. I decided on this since it has been my dream to build a more permanent house made of timber walls and cemented floors and I am happy that I will soon achieve this with the help from GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean a lot to me. I currently live in a wooden house which sometimes gets cold especially during the cold weather and since my legs get more painful when it is cold, I suffer a lot. I will buy construction materials; cement, bricks and sand using my first transfer since I want to build a brick house. I will use 300 dollars from my second transfer to buy a dairy cow so that I can get milk for sale.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I dread the night because my body relaxes and the in my legs become more intense due to the cold. I would say my happiest part of the day is in the morning because I get to move around, get warm and work my body therefore lessening pain in my legs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was married into a polygamous family as a first wife. My husband left me and my children and settled in his second wife's home. I did not get his support and I had to strain in order to educate my children which later caused me to have problems with my legs. I cannot fend for myself now since I am old. I would like to buy a cow now that I cannot till my land in order to get milk that I can sell and money to support me.
