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
53150 KES ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
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 transfer in that I was able to acquire a piece of land. in addition, I was able to start livestock rearing by purchasing two indigenous dairy cows. This is my long term investment and I plan to sell milk when they reproduce to cater to my daily expenses. Furthermore, I sell the male offspring to educate my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for coming to our village to support the poor households in our society. In addition, the enrollment process was done well especially the training that was conducted before the actual enrollment helped us utilize the transfer in an accountable way.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all the second transfer to purchase a 1.5-acre piece of land and relocated to the new place. This is because our previous homestead had a bad omen after more than 4 people lost their lives in less than half a year and according to our tradition, the place was not worth habitation. Furthermore, it is a communal land to which I lacked the personal right of ownership.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home at around 1300Hrs. I saw an unread message in my phone and when I opened the message, it was the Mpesa message. I was very excited and grateful.
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 bought cows and I was able to build my children a bigger house. I now own cattle that I never imagined I would ever own.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to purchase two cows, to pay school fees for my children and to build a house. I have nine children and I sell charcoal for a living. My husband is a construction worker. We live in a small house that lacks sufficient space which forces us to squeeze in the house. I was very happy to know that I will be able to build a better house for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me buy two oxen and a plough to facilitate my farming activities as well as earn me some income. Farming using oxen will save me time and ensure that I get more produce. When I plough other people's farms I can earn up to 10 USD per acre of land. The oxen will cost me 500 USD while the plough will cost me 120 USD.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I go to my farm as early as 7am. I come back at 11 am to do the house chores and wash clothes. During the afternoon, the sun is usually up and burning hot. I spend this time in the shade relaxing. This is the happiest part of my day because I am usually done with most of the day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I grew up in a polygamous setup. It was never easy because my father rarely came home. My mother struggled to cater for our needs because the support we got from my father was very little. I had to join my mother as a early as 10 years old to do casual jobs so that we could get money to buy food. I only went to school for one year. I dropped out of school because my mother was not able to support my education. This has been my life all through. Currently I still do the same casual jobs and a little bit of farming to satisfy the needs of my children.
