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 ($484 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?
Yes, I had a new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfers which were to purchase a new solar panel. I have been using the candles which were relatively expensive and most of the time I couldn't afford them. I was hoping that having the solar will be of help, especially at night and charging my phones.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in almost all sectors. First, we were all assembled during the Barraza and given proper education on how best we could secure our money from all sorts of thefts. This has been of help to most of us since a bigger percentage of us were illiterate.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying building materials such as building poles at KES 6000, iron sheets at KES 24200, timber, nails, the metal door at KES 7000, and the labor charge of KES 10000. I had intended to construct a new house because the previous one was almost collapsing due to the weak walls. During the rainy seasons, I used to seek shelter from my friends which was very frustrating. To add to that, l bought a water tank of 200litres at KES 1800. I feel there is a relief because I can harvest and store water for my domestic purposes Also with the remaining amount of money, I bought some household items like utensils, chairs, and sufficient foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy when I got the money because I got something to help me get the things I did not have and I desired to have. I desired to have a bed and a mattress because I used to sleep on the floor and it was very uncomfortable. I also wanted to have a storage tank to be storing water because we have to travel very far to fetch water, so with a tank we can store water in bulk and use it sparingly to spare ourselves the torture of having to travel very far to fetch water.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the level of poverty has significantly reduced. I no longer sleep on the floor, I have better house and no longer spend the night awake when it rains, so there are a lot of improvements in my life. That is the biggest difference I can cite, thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on building a new two-bedroom house in which I spent KES14000 for materials and labour charges because the house we were living in was so small and in a very poor condition and it was not different from living out in the open since even passers-by could see all the items in the house, which was humiliating and used to make me so stressed. I am, however, so grateful now that I have a better house that is in the best condition that I could only dream of, all thanks to GiveDirectly. I kept aside part of the money to buy eight goats when the situation of drought changes and it, at least, rains. I resolved to buy goats because they can survive in this kind of climate that rains sparingly and occassionally, and it is an investment that will live on. I believe when the goats multiply and increase in numbers, I will be able to even sell to others that will need goats and the money from that will be put into other projects that I will have in the future.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a farmer and I believe in livestock keeping since this is the only store of wealth I can invest in. I have for a long time desired to restart rearing livestock especially goats because I used to keep cows but due to drought, they all died. This has made me shift my desire to goat rearing since they are drought resistant. I plan to spend 30000 KES to buy 10 goats to act as a long-term investment project and this will assure me of early profit since they multiply fast. On the other hand, I intend to construct a 1 room that will expand my house, because the one I currently have is not spacious enough to accommodate us. This will cost me approximately 20000 KES. The remaining amount will help me to buy new beddings to replace the old ones and also to cater to my very basic needs like food and clothing. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My doctor advised me not to engage in extraneous work because of my health condition and this means I spend a better part of my day at home. The interactions I usually have with my family members especially during the afternoon hours when we talk and laugh as we take our lunch meal give me the feeling of happiness. Therefore, I consider the afternoon as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It has been 4 years now since I suffer from an eye problem. This condition has drained me financially since the little money I have been getting from vending charcoal got depleted. Considering this health condition, I am currently unable to work as a charcoal vendor something that has forced me to remain at home, and I depend on my son to provide me with food. Hence, financial instability has ever been the biggest hardship that I have faced in my life.
