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 ($511 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 because I have those things which I never had before such as the new house as well as the domestic animals which I acquired. If it were not for the cash transfers from GIve Directly, I think none of the mentioned items would have been possible to acquire.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I think it was a good idea to give people unconditional transfers because a number of them have changed their lives in so many ways using the money. There are those who bought domestic animals such as goats and cows while others used the money to pay school fees for their kids. There is another category of people who spent their money on building houses for their families
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used the money to buy three goats which I plan to rear for financial benefits going into the unforeseeable future. Apart from that, I also built a new toilet structure for the family because I never had one before. Initially, I used to go to the bush together with my family members but today we do not have to be doing that anymore. Finally, I am planning to undertake a short course in tailoring so that I may equip myself with such soft skills which may turn out to be of great benefit to me in the long run.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The money has enabled me to replace the old and worn out beddings that I have been using for some years now with a new wooden bed and a new mattress. Replacing my beddings seemed impossible to me for a long time and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the transfer has empowered me to achieve this. I now enjoy a comfortable sleep unlike before, which to me makes it be the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message alert at 2 am on my phone and I was curious to know who could have sent a message at that hour. On checking, I realized that it was a message from GiveDirectly, informing me that my first transfer had finally been sent. I felt happy for the money as I began to plan on how I would spend it to improve my living standard.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 33000 of the money on buying a pair of oxen to aid me in my farming practice. I have been using hoes to till my farm since they were the only farm tools available for land preparation. It would take me longer to prepare just an acre because of the inefficient farm tools. With this pair of oxen, I am assured of ploughing the whole of my acreage in a short period of time during the planting season unlike before. Thus I am expecting better harvests in the coming season. I also spent a portion of the money to replace my beddings which were old and worn out. They could not offer a comfortable sleep, thus I purchased a new wooden bed and a new mattress at KES 11500 which I now sleep on well. I also used a small portion of the money to cater for my medication. Lastly, I purchased daily foodstuffs and in paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My mother has been hospitalised from last year August and due to lack of money,she is yet to receive the specialised medication required.Getting this money means my mother will recover and come back home as my father and I will contribute towards her specialised medication.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I secure some casual labor jobs.At this time,I feel energitic and hopeful that at the end of the day,I will have food on the table for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is lack of stable source of income that has seen my mother held in hospital for six months because we can not raise the money required for her surgery.
