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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 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 currently different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer in that if it was not for the transfers I would not be having a decent house because I was able to construct a house with the first transfer. The previous house was almost falling down and it was not secure to stay in since it could fall on us at anytime. In addition, if it was not for the money my children would still be owing the school a huge fee balance. They would still be staying at home because they could not allowed in school without clearing the fee balance.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly does well by giving people unconditional cash. This has enabled almost everyone who benefited to improve their lives. On the other hand, there is nothing they are not doing well at.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought three goats with part of the recent transfer for rearing. Since goats give birth twice a year and at times to twins, I am hopeful that in the near future I will have a good number of them. I will be assured of a way out incase of emergency because I will sell some of them to raise funds.
Part of the money I spent on my children's secondary school fee. I am glad I was able to clear all the school fee arrears and now they can continue with their studies.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1100Hrs during the day and I was busy preparing lunch for my children. I heard a message come into my phone and when I checked my phone, it was the Mpesa message. I was very very happy to receive the money.
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 was able to build a house for my family. We can now live in a bigger, better and more spacious house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to build a house for my family. I sell charcoal for a living together with my husband. We have four children and we have been living in a small house that does not have enough space. What we earn is quite little and it could not enable us to build a house. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly that I can now build a better and bigger house for my family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My biggest desire has been to own a specious house for my family like other families in the village but I have not fulfilled this wish due to the financial crisis I have. Presently, we are living in a temporary house which is about to collapse as result of its poor condition. My plan is to spend $ 250 to purchase 12 more irony sheets, poles and some labor expenses to construct a two-roomed house. This will be a big transformation I have dreamed for long. I will invest the remaining amount in goats rearing and this will be my reliable source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. I spend my mornings and afternoon doing my casual job of charcoal vending up to the evening when I return home to meet my family and to rest my body. We usually gather at a commonplace with the rest members of the extended family to share stories and our daily experience which relieves me from the stresses of life and it is through this that we strengthen our bond as family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest hardship in my life. I am depending on charcoal vending, a job that earns me hard enough to fully support my family's needs especially food. We are forced to eat twice a day or even go without food and sometimes to borrow from our neighbors something that has degraded our respect in the village. The transfer we are about to receive will be a great boost as I am planning to spend it wisely.
