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 ($464 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?
My ambition is for me to be able to expand my business, this would mean that I will be able to attract more profit from it. I plan on realising this goal by saving at least a small percentage daily from my income. I am so thankful for the support that opened new ideas in our lives.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has brought light to our society, I had not imagined that at this time in life I would own a decent house. Glad that I was able to realise this dream with support from GiveDirectly. I have not heard of a single complaint from anyone concerning GiveDrectly, they are transparent and true to the words.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a local businesswoman in the village, specialising in selling vegetables and other groceries. I have two children, I used to live in a small grass-thatched house. But I am glad this is a story of the past because I was able to construct a decent house with the transfer that I had received from GiveDirectly, where I used a sum of KES 40,000 in building a house. I was unable to construct one due to financial constraints, I then used the remaining amount on clothes and foodstuffs. I am so happy that everything went as I had planned.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9am. I was at the market selling potatoes. I heard a ringtone message from my phone. When I checked it out I couldn't believe my eyes. I have never received such amount of money before. It was the happiest day of my life. My family too were so happy and grateful. I knew I would be able to top up with my savings to buy a piece of land. This had always been my dream. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
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 have purchased a piece of land. I depend on small business and small scale farming. The amount of money that I get through this is so small and I was not in a position to purchase a land. I had some some but it was not enough. This was my main target, when I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy. I top up my savings and bought a land. Currently I am planning to start a horticute farming. This will make me get enough food for the family and even sell the surplus to earn some money to meet other household items. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has improved our living. I know own a land which could have taken quite some time to get it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 to top up with my savings to buy a piece of land. I had always wished to own a land but it was not possible because I didn't had the money. I used some amount for my medication because at that moment I was feeling unwell. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard to be much better than before.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security for my family. I have always wished to own a dairy cow for my family but this has been in vain. I currently purchase 1 litre of milk daily from the milk vendors (KES 40) to feed my 2 children. My hairdressing business is not as productive as I might go for weeks without a customer . On a good week, I earn KES 2000 for which I use the money to purchase milk, otherwise, I collect the milk on credit or rather stay without. I intend to use KES 30000 to purchase a dairy cow. I will use the rest of the transfers on food for the household.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up 6:30 am and prepare breakfast for my 2 children. I then take them to school 2kms away. When I get back to the house , I prepare myself to attend to the hairdressing business at Chebunyo. I am happy in the evening for I have already earned for the day and my family has food to eat.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity has been my biggest hardship.I am an hairdresser who attends to the villagers on a call basis. This business is however seasonal as I might go for weeks without getting a customer. I resolve to staying hungry or rather visit my parents to pick some food stuff. I find this embarrassing as they also have a family who depend on them.
