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 ($469 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am planning to buy a dairy cow which will be a source of milk and income for my family because I currently don't have one. I also intend to start a clothing fashion shop.This will be made possible from the proceeds of my retail shop and merry go round monthly contributions.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well to improve living standards of people. As a witness, the transfers have enabled me add more stock to my business and complete my house within the shortest time possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on adding stock to my shop business and the rest on completion of my four roomed house which I started way before the GiveDirectly transfers. I spent the rest on maize and clothing for my family. Initially, I used to rely on maize and beans farming to feed my family and stock my shop.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was still early in the morning when I received a message notification on my phone and upon reading it, my heart was filled with happiness. I knew that with the money at my disposal, I would finally fulfill my goal of completing the construction of a more decent and permanent house for my family.
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 have been able to complete the construction of a spacious and more permanent house for my family. I had started building this house before GiveDirectly came for enrollment but had left it incomplete due to insufficient funds. I am a businessman and as a breadwinner to my family, I had to always set aside some amount from my profits after buying some basic needs for my family so that I would later use it in buying building some materials though this was always not enough.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When GiveDirectly came for enrollment, we agreed as a family to spend the transfer to complete the construction of our house and upon receiving my recent transfer, I spent KES 46000 to achieve this. I bought enough timber, cement and paid the contractor and other workers who were helping with the construction work. I am glad since we are almost moving into our completed house as living in our one-room house has been so demoralizing as one has no privacy. As a way of celebrating the good news, I spent 6000 on food and clothes for my family after saving KES 2000 in my account for emergency purposes.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It mean a lot. I am currently building a house for my growing family. I have plans to continue with the construction but right now, I do not have enough money to continue with this work. When I receive this money, I will use 20,000 shillings to finish up the construction. I also own a canteen at the nearest centre. I will be glad and happy to add more stock to my canteen. I will use 30,000 shillings to stock my shop. I will then save the remaining amount because I do not know what the future holds since now everything is uncertain because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning because I get to go to my canteen, sell and be assured that I save some money on that.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I would say the biggest hardship I have face in life is getting a job. I did not manage to go to secondary school after doing my certificate of primary exams and had to do casual jobs to fend for myself. I managed to save money and opened a canteen near my home so that I can earn something from it. I plan now to add more stock to my canteen so that I can earn more than I earn right now.
