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 ($492 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfers. I have a small business of selling maize at the market near home, This usually earns me an income to meet household needs and pay school fees for my children in various schools. I was not able to pay school fees on time because the profit was small. My children used to be sent home to collect the school fees and this was affecting the performance. When I received the second transfer I add my stock. This has made me gets some profits and also break-even. I am in a position to clear all the school fees on time. I am also in a position to meet other basic household needs which was so expensive. My children are no longer sent home to collect school fees like before. I am so grateful because GiveDirecyly has changed our living standards.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses, pay school fees for children and also buy food for the family. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money I received GiveDirectly to rent a piece of land, buy seeds ready for planting, I also bought a heifer and the rest of the money some amount to my business of selling maize.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11am while in my maize selling business when I heard a message alert on my phone. On checking my phone it was GiveDirectly transfers, I was very happy and this motivated me to work harder that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is renting land and farming of maize which I had planned for and came in a timely manner. The money intended for farming has been saved for acquisition of more land. There is increased happiness now than before because I was overwhelmed with stress on how to rent land and farming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 9700 on renting an acre of land and farming of maize. This is because maize farming has been my main income source whole of my life. This project will ensure adequacy of food in my family and my community. This is because I am a reknowned maize seller in my town and I own a maize distribution store. I also intend to buy a high quality dairy cow because the ones I have are of low quality and unproductive. This will help boost milk production. I also intend to buy an additional piece of land which will help boost my farming.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As a responsible, visionary, and caring father, receiving this money means that each of my three sons shall inherit a reasonable piece of land from me. This is because will expand my 1.7 acres of land by purchasing some additional acres. In our culture, sons are given priority on matters about inheritance. Overall, I greatly thank GiveDirectly for coming to my rescue and restoring my stature as a responsible father.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a subsistence farmer and the only parent available for my children, my day is backed with many activities. As such, the happiest part of my day is in the evening when I have successfully accomplished my tasks because my family relies on my efforts to exist.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was raised by a humble background where alcohol my mother brewed and sold illicit brews to sustain us. I lost my father when I was a very young boy. Following the hardships that we were facing as a family, I was forced to drop out of school when I was in class three. As such, not pursuing my education goals and dreams would be treated as the biggest hardship I have faced in life because I cannot equally compete with other candidates in the job market.
