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 ($470 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer is purchasing a dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors daily and this was so costly for me. When I received the transfer I found it worth investing in the dairy project. Currently, I no longer buy milk like before. I am so grateful for the support.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving unconditional money to the poor in the community to build better house and pay school fees for their children in various schools. This has improved their standards of living. I do not not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 on purchasing a dairy cow. This is because I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly for me. I had always wished to own a dairy cow but I did not have the money. Currently, I no longer buy milk. GiveDirectly has improved our living standard to be much better than before. I spent KES 10,000 on paying medical bills for my unwell daughter. I am so grateful because this could have cost me much. I spent the rest of the money on food and clothes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($479 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was at home preparing supper. Suddenly I heard my phone ringing, I asked my children to confirm who had sent the text that evening. Upon reading the message, we realised that we had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. This was the best news that I had received in a long time. My children and I celebrated the entire evening. We were grateful for the wonderful gesture that came our way.
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 been able to accomplish my dreams in a short period. Building a decent house for my family is a lifetime achievement and a great milestone that I never thought that I would have accomplished in a short time due to financial constraints. I am grateful to the organization for putting smiles on our faces and for transforming our living standards to a higher one.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer and a businesswoman specialising in making traditional guards. Upon receiving my transfer, I saw it fit to utilise it in building a decent house for my family. This is because the one that we were living in was grass-thatched and old. Therefore I used KES 31500 in buying building materials. I then saved the rest of the money for the labour charges. I am so happy that finally, we will be having an iron sheet house, which was like a mere dream to us since we had no money. we are grateful for the support that lifted our lives amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing. I live in a grass-thatched house that serves as both the main house and the kitchen. The house is small and uncomfortable to host visits or because of the smoke. I plan to use KES 40000 to build a big, tin roof house that will be the main house and convert the one that I live in as the kitchen. I will be able to harvest rainwater from the house because the scarcity of water in our area is a major challenge.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last six months, I have been able to do farming thanks to the prolonged rain received in our area. I was able to get food for my children and that brought me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The scarcity of clean water is one of the major challenges because I travel for long distances to get clean water for use at home. The long distances and my old age impacts so much on my health and I have to look for someone to assist me in fetching the water.
