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
53150 KES ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After accomplishing the goal I had for the second transfer, I sat down and developed other goals which I want to accomplish them too. The first one is to start my own home. Since I stay at my parents home I bought a piece of land and the aim is; once I get some money I construct a house at it and star a home with my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did wonders in every corner of our region. Wherever it went, good things happened. On my side, I will single out the last bit which if it were not for GiveDirectly I would be having a single eye. The accident that I got, if it were not for the transfer I do not know how my situation would be at now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the money, I decided to buy four acre piece of land so that I can also own a land. I used KES 30000.00 in buying this land. This land has two significance; one is that I now posses a land and the second one is that it is a symbol or a mark of GiveDirectly doing. Thereafter before proceeding to other plans as I had set, I got an accident that injured my eye. I used KES 18000.00 in the medication and I am still undergoing some check-ups which require money still.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at round 10am when I was in the field cutting some tree to make charcoals for sale when I received a message in my phone and upon checking I saw the transfer message that we had been promised by GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and gained more strength. I finalized with the charcoal making process before leaving for home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My biggest difference is the fact that I managed to get a bigger portion of land which I will use it for farming. I am planning to make good use of the land so that it can pay the rest of the money to the one who sold it to me through doing intensive agriculture. The produce will help me clear the balance. I also managed to get some goats through GiveDirectly. Initially I had no goats at all but now am rearing goats which will multiply soon and will be a source of income for me through selling.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the money, the first thing I wanted was to get a piece of land for both staying and faming since I was staying at a family land. So, after some consultations I came across a 3 acre land which was being sold at KES 90000.00. I talked to the seller and we agreed on the modalities on how I will pay him the balance after paying a deposit of KES 25000.00. I also bought 5 goats for KES 15000.00. For the remaining amount, I did some shopping for my class three child and paid KES 300.00 for her school fees and also saved the balance for family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a divorced woman with a family of eight children. I have two children who are solely depending on me for school fees. One is in class two and the other is in form one. Paying their school fees has really been a challenge since I depend on charcoal burning business which is illegal, but I have no option since it is the only job that earns me some money. I also face a lot of rejection from my sisters in law since I am a returnee. This pains my heart so much. I intend to use the cash transfer from GiveDirectly to pay my children's school fees. I will also buy a three acre piece of land that will cost around $300. This will relieve me from the ridicules I get from the sisters in law. Receiving this money therefore means access to education for my children and owning my own piece of land for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been through thick and thin. I have been carrying a burden of how can I meet the needs of my children. Waking up early to walk a long distance to the forest for charcoal burning and back has not been easy. I return home late in the evening tired and having no time for my own children. I have no time to rest since I work from Monday to Sunday. Because of this, I have no particular time I can be happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced is divorce. I separated from my husband ten years ago and he left me with seven children. Since then, life has been difficult for me and my children. The responsibility of providing for my family shifted from him to me since he rejected my children as well. That is when I started looking for casual jobs to sustain my family. As woman, getting a job was another challenge since nobody was there to help me. That is when I started the illegal business of charcoal burning business to meet basic needs like food.
