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
55000 KES ($436 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current objective is to launch a dry-fish sales business. Since there are only a few people in my area, there is less competition, which is why I picked it. Due to the lack of trees in our area, my son's business of producing and selling charcoal has become unreliable, so the goal of this enterprise is to generate cash. I want to reach this objective as soon as I have some money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Given that I haven't met any, I don't believe GiveDirectly accomplishes anything poorly. I want to commend GiveDirectly for the excellent work it conducts in transforming thousands of lives. I hope you keep up the fantastic work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I decided to remodel my home after getting the second part of the transfer by plastering the exterior walls to keep them from being washed away by rainfall when it rains. By doing this, the house becomes more stable than previously to endure splashes of rainwater on the walls. For $150, I spent on 23 bags of cement, and the work cost me $40. Together with replacing some damaged roofing timbers, the roof refurbishment cost $120 to complete. Following that, I gave my son $200 to outfit his charcoal-selling business, which he uses to supply merchants in large quantities. I spent the remaining money to buy food for my family because I am a peasant farmer and it hasn't rained in a long.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 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 early morning when I woke up and heard some family members that they had received their first transfers from GiveDirectly. I curiously contacted my helper to confirm from my phone if I had also received mine. Happiness engulfed my heart after the confirmation that I had also got the money and it was in my account.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Sincerely speaking, if it were not for GiveDirectly, my house would have collapsed. I am very grateful since through GiveDirectly I was able to solve a housing problem that would have taken ages to be resolved. Again, I am taking a break from the tiring job of cuttings logs and making charcoals. Since the time I received the transfer, I have been resting and hence gained some weight because I eat well without straining so much.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Bought phone 1000Spending gd-2042300
When I knew that I was going to receive money, I planned prior on how to utilize the cash. The first thing was to get a bed and a mattress because I used to sleep on the floor. the mattress cost was KES 5000.00 while the bed was KES 2500.00 since I had my timbers. I also paid KES 5000.00 for school fees for my grandchildren. Since my roof house was collapsing, I opted to do some renovation which cost KES19500.00. Having done that, I kept the remaining amount for the family's upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am an old widow without any source of income. My late husband whom I depended on, is no more. He left me a small house which is almost collapsing because it is very weak. However, I cannot repair it because of lack of money. I barely sleep due to fear of the house collapsing especially when strong wind blows. My main goal is to repair the house so that I can sleep in a safer place comfortably like others in the compound. Upon receiving the cash transfers, I will erect concrete pillars to support it.I will also repair the roofing as well so that it is not carried away by strong wind. This will cost a total of KES 40000. The rest amount of money will use to buy ten goats and sell when they multiply.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month, I received aid food from the government. Every household was issued with five kilograms of rice, two litres of cooking oil and four kilograms of maize flour. At least for once I was assured of food for two months as pangs of hunger would no longer bite me as others enjoy their meals.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Throughout my life, I have been depending on subsistence farming as the only economic activity. However, this has not been the case currently because of persistent drought in my village. I am now left on borrowing food from neighbours to spare myself from pangs of hunger that bite me. I intend to fix this by shifting to livestock farming. I will buy ten goats and two dairy cows. The cows will help me sell milk in the village and get a daily income to buy food and other basic needs. As a long term strategy, the goats will be my main project which I will sell in the nearby market.
