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
55000 KES ($477 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment I will say that I have so many goals to be done but unfortunately, I am still not stable financially. This I choose to concentrate on the ones that I have at hand.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Never in my life have I witnessed an organisation giving out a big portion of the money unconditionally. I am honoured to be part of the beneficiaries of this great project. Throughout my interaction with the GiveDirectly staff. I have not witnessed any inefficiencies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a casual labourer and a father of six children. Upon receiving my transfer I used a sum of KES 40,000 to purchase a dairy cow. This is because I have been buying milk daily which was very expensive on my side. I was unable to afford a cow before due to unstable sources of income. I then used the remaining amount on foodstuffs. I am so thankful for the support that brought a positive change in my life.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 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 in the morning and I had just woken up. Upon checking my phone, I saw a message and I was not sure it was from who. Upon checking, it was an MPESA message from Give directly bearing the good news. I was so delighted and immediately informed my wife about it and she was equally excited and urged me to withdraw on the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the hope of getting enough milk for consumption for my household members. In addition, the purchase of the dairy cow has saved me in buying milk daily at a high cost hence able to use the little that I get to buy other bills.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the first transfer, I prioritized purchasing a dairy cow worth Kshs.40,000 which produces adequate milk. I had been buying a liter of milk at 60 shillings per day which were very costly and were not adequate for usage. I am now happy that my family can milk four liters per day which is sufficient for daily usage. With Kshs.1,000 I paid school fees. for my primary school going children hence they are now settled and studying without being sent home. With the remaining amount, I used to purchase food and clothes for my four family members. I am so grateful for what I have able to purchase so far and looking forward to the second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my family will not be taking strong tea/ tea without milk any more since it will enable me to buy a dairy cow. We have always wanted to own one but it has not been possible because of lack of enough income. Whatever I get from casual work is used to purchase maize for consumption. I intend to purchase a dairy cow worth KES 40000 and the rest of the money will be used to buy sheep.
What is the happiest part of your day?
There was a heavy downpour in our village recently, it gave us a lot of happiness since we were able to get more weeding work. We were not missing these jobs and it meant a lot to us since we were able to put food on the table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a real issue that we face daily. We live from hand to mouth, we depend on casual work like weeding other people crops, other times it is fencing to be able to put food on the table. These jobs pay less and we are hardly left with any money. That's the main challenge we have been facing.
