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 ($521 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I used to sell charcoal, plow and do other several casual jobs to earn my daily revenue. This was never a guarantee hence on some days I was forced to go without food with my entire family. Since the first transfer was used entirely in house construction, I decided to invest the second one to enhance sustainability even after receiving all the transfers. I bought a motorcycle which I use in the taxi business. This has helped us earn revenue daily.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I think GD did well to come up with this project. it is impactful and beneficial to most of the people who have received the cash. Living standards have improved and many have been empowered to reach their goals. I sincerely cannot record any bad intention all I see is goodness.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer I added my savings to it and bought a brand new motorcycle. I plan to get into the taxi business where I can be my boss and dictate terms and conditions of operations. This will increase the revenue earned since the casual jobs I have been doing are not enough to sustain my household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I have finished paying my wife's bridal price and have bought shopping to sustain me until I get income which is not a guarantee. The bridal price had given me sleepless nights and long days as I kept wondering where I would get the money to settle it. Shopping in that house was by the grace of God, there are days that we totally had nothing and life was horrible but thanks to GiveDirectly we are now living slightly above average. We can afford the basic necessities and a smile comes so easily.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I was filled with joy and happiness. I knew I was going to settle my wife's bridal price. This had given e sleepless nights.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Upon receiving the first transfer, I bought a bull and a cow for the purpose of paying the bride price for my wife that had been pending for quite some time now and the parents were on my neck. With the remaining amount I bought bulk household shopping that was depleted to sustain me for a longer period of time because I do not have a steady income and I am not sure of the next time I will receive such an amount of money.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be able to complete improving my house. Currently the walls have not been plastered and it is very cold at night which affects the health of my children, plastering it shall reduce my medical costs that occur due to pneumonia. I will also be able to start a small business to my wife that I have not been able to do because all the earnings from the daily work in cane farms ends up in food, medical and clothing for the children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening because I would have received my payment from the cane cutting job that I do daily for my family upkeep. It is during the evening that I am united with my family. The unity and the relaxed mood creates happiness since I no longer have the anxiety of getting accident or being told that my children are sent back home for school fees because most of the term our children go to school with a lot of fees areas.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship is that during wet seasons like these we have not much work in the farms. We work and at times not paid with promises for the following day. This causes my family to miss meal.
