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 ($527 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different in that, I did not have a decent house and being that I am a retired civil servant, the house I was living in was not worthy, and the pension received could not facilitate building of a better house of my dream. This has resulted to speculation and gossip that I worked and came out with nothing. GD has sealed for me the shame I was under going and at the same time restored the lost dignity and glory.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
To me, GiveDirectly has given me opportunity to live in the house of my dream. Other members of community also fulfilled their dreams in different ways. I still believe that I will feel the benefit of GiveDirectly for so long following the farm investment I have done with the money.
GiveDirectly should improved on the issue of not enrolling women who have divorced and staying with the parents. Some have got responsibilities, of taking children to school as well as other basic needs.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer on sand to complete my house, cooking gas, and cement for plastering the house.
I started building a house of my dream but it was incomplete. I gave the completion of the house the first priority and it is now a better structure to live in. I seek for money from other sources to do painting which is the activity remaining.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that my family anticipates living in a much bigger house as compared to the one we currently live in once the construction is over. This means more privacy for my kids as most of them are at their adolescent stage where privacy is the order of the day. We will enjoy the comfort of space which was not the case in the precious tiny house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer I was filled with so much joy. This is because I knew my house construction was eventually going to be completed. It had stalled due to lack of adequate finances.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to complete construction of my house which I had started a year ago but ran out of finances. I bought steel windows, sand, and cement. I Plastered the walls and the floor. Now it looks habitable and better off than it was. Some amount was spent on paying the masons who did the finishing on the house. We will be moving to the new house once the finishing is complete this means more space as compared to the current habitat that is a little bit smaller for a family of seven.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been dreaming to do sugarcane farming in large scale. I shall, therefore, spend this money on acquiring more pieces of land in which I shall plant in more sugarcane. Through this, I shall be able to boost my harvest hence be able to increase my income from sugarcane plantation.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when I have accomplished my daily planned activities such as, supervising workers in my sugarcane plantations. I feel at peace whenever I walk around my nearby sugarcane plantation and see my sugarcane well taken care of. This not only motivates me, but also gives me an assurance of better income in some months to come.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is continuous struggle in educating my children. I am advanced in age with no permanent job hence unable to engage in any casual job. I, therefore, find it hard to support their education as I ought to as the head of the family.
