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 ($462 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Sincerely speaking I do not have any new goal. After having managed to buy a second hand motorcycle through the second GiveDirectly's cash transfer I will continue putting it into good use for the betterment of my family's basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What worked for me which I applaud GiveDirectly for is the fact that I was informed more about the importance of the GiveDirectly's cash transfer project to it's beneficiaries. Furthermore, no restrictions were put on how to utilize the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I did receive the second transfer, I used to do casual jobs which would hardly bring us enough income to sustain my family of four. When I got this transfer my dream of owning a motorcycle for taxi business became a reality. Nowadays my family get basic needs easily unlike before. Besides, I managed to buy two goats as my plan is to trade them out and use their proceeds to educate my children and cater for their basic needs as well. Thank you GiveDirectly for coming through.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The message caught me by surprise because I never expected that the money would be send that early in the morning. I was up early that morning to prepare for work when I heard a message notification, I expected it to be a message from a coworker but upon checking I found out that I had received the transfers. I was so happy that I woke my wife up and told her about the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Nowadays,I sleep comfortably in a bed and mattress and I nolonger wake up with back pains like before when I used to sleep on the floor. Am confident that my children will pursue higher education because I'll have enough enough to sell by then.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Securing my children's education is the best thing one can settle for in this dry unpromising land. Previously, people used to rely on farming but the prevailing draught has made this a nightmare and people have sunk into poverty. Education therefore became the only option that could get people out of this dark hole . I work as a casual labourer in a quarry and since I don't earn much the only way that I could save towards my children's fee is through investing in livestock. With the low wedges averaging to KES 4000 a month, I had only managed to buy some few goats. When I was enrolled in the program, my goal was to buy as many livestock as I can so that I can sell them in future and pay school fees. I spend KES 39,000 of my recent transfer to buy nine goats, KES 11000 to buy bed and mattress because we were previously sleeping on the floor, KES 1400 to buy two plastic chairs and the balance to pay school fees for my two children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My goal has always been to broaden my sources of income. I would like to invest more in goat farming when I receive this money. Goats do well in this semi arid region compared to cows. The main aim of investing in goat farming is to help me educate my children in future. I have three goats already and my plan is to add 5 more. My budget for this is 25,000 KES. I will then use 15,000 KES to buy a bed and a matress. My matress is old and I do not have a bed. I have never had the privilege of sleeping on a bed.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The news that Give Directly will start operations in my sub location brought me a lot of joy. This project will help me solve many problems that I have since they are mainly financial problems.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial problems have brought me a lot of problems. The biggest challenge of all is that I have not been able to pay dowry. My in-laws came and took my wife and two children back leaving me alone here at home. Lack of money has led to separation with my family which is very hurting. This is a major setback since I had stayed in marriage for almost 9 years. I do casual construction jobs which earn me very little.
