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 almost 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 in that my children are learning without any free balance this unlike previously, when at a time like this they would have been out of school and their learning suspended due to lack of fees. In addition, l am now owning two dairy cows which is my long-term investment for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Givedirectly did well for sending us the cash transfer which has open doors for development in my life. I was able to start livestock rearing, this will help me in raising and educating my children once they reproduce. I don't see anything wrong with the program. I just wish it to continue assisting the poor.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend my transfer on purchasing two local dairy cows for $300. This because I did not have any livestock or any future investment for my family. I will have enough milk supply for my family. I plan to sell them when they multiply to assist me in educating my children. With the remaining amount I spent it to clear the fees of my two children who are in secondary school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message in my phone in the afternoon. This was not usual and I was curious to know who could have sent the message. When I checked the contents, I had received KES 55000 in my Mpesa account from GiveDirectly. I was instantly filled with inexpressible joy and celebrated with my family for this help.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning this cow. I did not have any livestock in my compound thus is this is an asset to me. The little income from the menial jobs may not be enough to save for my children's education. I am glad that having this cow is a security for my children's education. My expectation is that this cow will be reproducing and have many of them . I will be selling the offspring to raise money for my children's school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a cow that I am currently rearing in my homestead. I resolved to buy this cow since its an asset than I easily manage. My expectation is that it will reproduce and have many of them. I will be able to educate my children who are still young through this cow. Besides, I will be getting milk to sell and earn an income. In addition to this, I also bought a new mattress to sleep on. I replaced the old bedding I have been using for years. I am planning to spend the remaining amount to buy sand and cement to renovate my house. It is mud-walled and not in a stable state thus I want to renovate it to be permanent one.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a housewife who depends on my husband. My wish has been to build a semi-permanent house but due to financial challenges, this dream has never come to pass. I am planning to spend 80,000 shillings to construct it. This will restore my dignity and we leave comfortable. My neighbor has been making jokes that I can not even own a house. because currently, I have been staying in a small house which is almost collapsing. Other than that, I will use the extra amount to purchase beddings. We have been using local beddings made of strings that are uncomfortable to sleep on.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning. It is at this time when I do my house chores such as cleaning house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a good source of income is my biggest challenge. I depend on my husband who does casual jobs. The job earns him 300 shillings per day. This is not enough to sustain all our basic needs of 9 members such as food.
