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 over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I haven't finished constructing my house that is what I am currently working. I am also focused on onions and vegetables farming.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to improve living standards of people in my village because the transfers came in after a long dry spell which has lasted for the past four years.GiveDirectly should consider those that were left out during enrollment especially those promised that were promised to be visited again.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES15000 on purchase on steel doors because they are durable.KES19000 on modern sofa sets seaters and tables because initially I had only local arm chairs which were not comfortable and couldn't accommodate many visitors at once.KES 3000 I gave as a donation to a new public day school which started off recently in our village and KES6000 on payment of school fees for my son and daughter in high school. I also spent KES6200 on two maize sacks, KES1000 on food and household items and KES750 on vegetables and vegetable and onions seeds.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2 pm when I came back home from rearing my livestock. I had left my phone that very day upon checking it, I saw a notification message. Upon checking, it was a confirmation of receipt of the promised transfer. I could not hide my joy I thanked God for making this come true and I immediately went and withdraw since we had already planned on what to spend on.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the completion of the house after having stayed for long to obtain the remaining materials,I am excited that soon we will be moving to our modern house which is very spacious.In addition, seeing the maize that I planted doing good brings forth a great joy farm produce which can feed my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the first transfer meant the completion of a house that I had left it pending because of financial constraints. After withdrawal, I spent Kshs.36,625 in obtaining ceiling boards, nails, paints, and labor. I am now happy that the house is on its final stages and we can move in soon.With Kshs.6,000 paid school fees for my two children in secondary school for the entire term.I also donated Kshs.2,000 to a nearby newly constructed school which will be of help in future for our growing community children.With the remaining amount I used to buy maize seedlings ready for planting season.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I started building my two-bedroomed house six Months ago but it has stalled due to a lack of finances. My current house is small, cannot accommodate all of us including my grown-up son who needs to move aside. Receiving this money means I'll finally complete constructing the house and we can comfortably live with my family. It will tentatively cost me KES 30,000. For the rest of the amount, I plan to equip the house, by buying furniture and finish up paying school fees for my children in school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. At this time my children are back from school. We get to share dinner, talking about how their day went in school. My day is majorly usually spent on the farm looking after the cattle. In the evening, I rest assured that my cows are well fed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been a lack of finances. Being peasant farmers depending heavily on farming, we were greatly affected for eight years now, since a strange maize disease came. We did not harvest anything those years, therefore we were forced to purchase maize for consumption. This was eating into our savings and income, hence we could not save up to improve our housing. This money will be a relief for us as we can now think straight.
