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 ($421 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My biggest wish would be to start a small mini-mart. a business where I can sell goods off the shelf and people can peruse and choose as they wish. The extra cash would mean the world to myself and my family, and I pray it comes to pass one day.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly excels at striking the perfect balance between giving too much and giving just enough. The funds they give transform lives, and they do so without limiting recipients. I hope they will return one day to bless us with transfers and allow us to continue with, start, and develop more projects because of their generosity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As the first born of three kids, it falls upon me to always ensure I look out for my siblings as best I can. That being said, I took it upon myself to send my brother to school with the funds from GiveDirectly. He is studying carpentry at Vitengeni Technical School. We are currently paying $150 per year in school fees for him. I decided to also buy five goats. Three are males and two are females, meaning I'm hoping to have a small flock soon if all goes according to plan. I also stocked up on food in the house for myself and my wife. We don't have any children yet, but we're hoping that will change soon. She helps me grow maize on our 2-acre farm, while I do casual labor and earn $10 per day when I get a gig. GiveDirectly has given us so much to be thankful for, and as a family, both extended and nuclear, we are eternally indebted to them.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 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 around 9am when I was grazing my neighbors’ cows for a living when I received the transfer message. I was overwhelmed for seeing a huge amount of money which I am sure it could have taken me ages to assemble such amount of money. I am very thankful for the support I received from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since GiveDirectly came into my life is that; I am now able to earn a living from the motorbike I bought.
Paying KES 15000.00 for my young brother’s education is a memorable achievement because he solely depends on me since our parents passed on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being an orphan, I have my young brother who is now in college to take care of. To ensure that his learning continues smoothly I paid KES 15000.00 for him. Since I didn’t have a reliable source of income, I opted to buy a motorbike for KES 36000.00 so as to start a new business in the transport industry. I also bought 2 sacks of maize for the family to have access to food. Being tired of sleeping on sacks, I decided to buy mattress for KES 2000.00.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am living together with my bother. Our parents died in a car accident more than 10 years ago and we were raised by our cousin. After completing my primary school education, I decided to work for my cousin, grazing his cattle so that I can manage to feed myself and cater for our needs in the house. My brother finished his primary school education and was not able to join secondary school because of luck of school fees.My brother has been dreaming to be a carpenter for years but the amount of money I am paid from my job is 4000 KES only which is not enough to cater for our daily needs plus taking him to do his course.Receiving this money means I will take my brother to college to pursue the course of his choice.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the evening when I am back from work, I find myself with a lot of time to relax from my strenuous work. The resting gives me the feeling of happiness since I get re-energized for the next day's work. Hence, I consider the evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a total orphan and the sole breadwinner for my household. I work as a herdman for my cousin and I earn 4000 KES per month. This income is very low and it can not fully cater to our basic needs something that has forced my young brother to remain idle despite having the desire to do a carpentry course. Therefore, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life
