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 ($468 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?
Immediately I completed my initial goal, I developed a new goal of buying and keeping goats. I bought a total of 5 goats which we are are currently raising as a family. Raising goats will be the greatest investment I can do since there are limited business opportunities in my village. Goats do well because they can feed on all sorts of herbs hence they are not much affected by prolonged drought. From my flock, my family will be able to sell some in order to raise cash for school fees as well as meeting other household needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done so well in supporting us through direct cash transfer. It does this through enrolling potential recipients in the program without any form of discrimination. As a result of the effectiveness of GiveDirectly's staffs, many of my community members were enrolled and benefited from the program. However, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 from my second transfer to extend my house by creating an additional room. It has been just a one bedroom thus my children have been struggling to get a place to spend in. With the new extension, they will not need to move to the neighbourhood at night to look for a place to spend in. As a caring mother, I am glad that I shall be able to check on them more often. The rest of the transfer was spent on buying 5 goats that have currently increased my family's asset value.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 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 exactly 8:30 AM when I was just from the bed then my phone started vibrating loudly. Since I am old and illiterate I asked my daughter-in-law to confirm who it was. Upon checking, she realized that it was the long-awaited Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was extremely happy and Immediately I started picturing what I was going to spend the money on with my family.
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 can proudly mention is that the cash transfer has enabled me to purchase goats that I am now keeping in my compound. Being a widow and jobless I have been thinking of a permanent and possible solution to all the troubles that I have been undergoing all along. This is because I have solely been depending on my children for the daily bread and sometimes I could lack since they also have temporary jobs. I am so happy for my last born son who is in his final year in primary school becasue once he transitions to secondary school, I will not have to strain the way it happened with his siblings. Besides in case of any emergency, I will be able to sort it in time because I will be in a position to sell the offspring and get an income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock more so five goats at KES 15000. These have been the well thoughtful assets that I have been yearning to own for years but because of the poverty life that had stricken my household, this was not achievable. In addition, I bought a spacious bed and a high-density mattress for a total of KES 11000. I am now happier because I am sleeping in a better place unlike before whereby I used to sleep on the traditional beds. In addition, I purchased a metal door at KES 5000 to replace the wooden one and I now feel secure. I later paid school fees for my son who is in his final year in primary school and I am so grateful he will be studying peacefully. With the remaining cash, I am using it to buy sufficient foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow with a family of six children who look up to me to provide for their basic needs. Being an old woman without a stable source of income becomes difficult to meet these needs. I usually depend on charcoal burning business to make ends meet. However, this business is illegal but I have no choice since it is the only economic activity that gives me money to take care of my children. Furthermore, I only earn around $70 a week which is not sufficient to meet the daily basic needs. I intend to use the first cash transfer to pay school fees for my last born daughter who is in class 8. I will then use the remaining amount to purchase food and other basic needs for my family. I will use the second cash transfer to buy goats and start livestock farming that will help me sell the goats when they multiply as an investment for my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of my day is mostly in the evening. This is because, I usually leave early in the morning to go to the forest to cut trees for charcoal burning. I then come back in the evening tired and worn out. At this time, I have time to rest and eat with my family for anything that I would have gotten during the day in the forest. Seeing my family healthy, eating together and sharing stories brings joy to my heart as it relieves me of the stresses of of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. Being a widow with a family to take care of is a challenge since I have no stable income generating activities that I can engage in. My body is becoming weak as I get old and even the charcoal business that I depend on is becoming hard to do it continuously. However, I have no choice but just to do it because if I do not do it, then I will starve with my family. I earn less than $70 a week which is not enough to meet most of my basic needs. This makes life more difficult for me and my family.
