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
55000 KES ($478 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?
Now that I am done building a house, my newest goal is for me to be able to build a house for my boys as our culture demands. I plan to realise this goal from my salary and saving in future. Thus I am grateful for the great milestone that we were able to achieve in a short period.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The fact that the transfer was unconditional was enough reason to celebrate. Everything was done professionally. However, In my opinion, I would wish the eligibility criteria to be revised so that it can benefit the neediest people in society who are residents but homeless for one reason or the other.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a teacher by profession and a mother of five of which two are orphans. I had secured a loan to build a house for my family but unfortunately, it was left halfway due to the high cost of building materials. Upon receiving my transfer I used a sum of KES 30,000 on flooring and put tiles on my house. Secondly, I used the remaining amount on foodstuffs and clothes. I am so happy and fulfilled that I was able to accomplish my goals in a short time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 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 around 5pm When I heard a message notification from my phone. I was at home from school at moment. When I checked it out I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to buy building materials and continue with the construction process that was on going. I immediately inform my family members and they were so happy too. We really celebrated that evening with lots of joy. I went and withdrew the money the following day and bought some tiles. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly enable me to do what was becoming a challenge on my side. I have bought the tiles and waiting for the second transfer to start the construction process.
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 purchased tiles for my new house. This was my priority since I had stopped at some point. I depend on small scale dairy farming and my salary as a teacher, but since I had taken some loans for construction, I am not earning much since some money is deducted for loan repayment. The only source of income was from the sales of milk. When I received the transfer I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to buy tiles to fit on my house. Currently I have the tiles in place and I exhausted the money on other basic household items. I am waiting for the second transfer to buy some cement. I am so grateful because this was only possible through the support from GiveDirectly. Currently I have the peace of mind to do other activities and improve my daily farming project. My house will look so decent after this and I am so grateful for the Support from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing building materials. I was able to buy tiles for my new house that I'm constructing. I had exhausted my savings and loans and I didn't know where to get the money for the tiles. GiveDirectly has enabled me to achieve this and I'm so excited. I settle some debt that I had borrowed to buy some materials and now I feel great. The rest of the money I spent on food and clothes for my children. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled me to meet my needs and plan for my family well.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean my household of 5 will have an extra source of income. I plan on reopening my shop where I will sell retail household goods. At the start of COVID 19 we had to foreclose our businesses. We owned a small maize mill and a retail shop but people would get goods on credit and not pay during the pandemic. I was forced to use all the goods in the shop for our own use in the house. I plan on using KES 50,000 in reopening the shop and using the profit to save in my savings group. I will later use the savings to build a better kitchen since we currently use one built of mud and a grass roof. I also wish to use some of the money in purchasing a bull for future investment when the price appreciates
What is the happiest part of your day?
I'm strong believer in quality education as a future investment for our children. When one is educated they have a chance in life to make the right decisions. My first born son joined his secondary school this year and that is a big achievement for my husband and I. Even though it's costly I know by giving him the opportunity to go to school and later pursue his dreams he will have a better life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was the only one fortunate enough to go to university in my family. My parents had to sell most of there land to see me through my education. Currently my father has a medical problem where his bladder is no longer useful. He is forced to use some pipes that subsidize as a bladder and this has put so much strain in his health. I earn a salary of KES 30,000 which is all used for his medical expenses. Every day a nurse visits our home to change his artificial bladder and we have to pay KES 300, I'm forced to sometimes borrow loans just to ensure his health is well looked at. Even though both my husband and I work, my household is forced to depend on his income while I support my parents.
