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 ($420 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would wish to build a house because the initial one is small besides being in a poor state. I hope that I will be able to achieve this goal, we will all be able to shelter under one roof as a family. Currently, some have been sheltering in their friend's houses which are quite far from the villages we live in. It will therefore be my pleasure to achieve this goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the organisation did a very good job by fulfilling all their promises made during the enrolment. One of them is sending unconditional cash transfers into our Mpesa accounts. This was the best because it enhanced transparency and there were low cases of theft and bribery.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent almost $180 for my second transfer on six goats that I am currently rearing. It has been my wish to have the for quite some time but I couldn't afford them because they are relatively expensive. I am certain that once they will increase in number, I will be able to pay school fees for my grandchildren without struggling since it has been my main challenge. Additionally, I cleared the fees arrears of $15 for my three grandchildren in primary school. They have been on and off because of the arrears and this has generally been affecting their academic performance. Also, I feel they are now motivated since they will not be sent home for fees for the remaining days of the year. I am now assured of good results from them unlike before when they used to experience lots of hiccups. With the remaining cash transfer, I have been buying food and settling all the debts.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy the moment I received the money because I didn't have, which helped me get the things I desired to have for so long. These things included a bed and mattress because I used to sleep on the mud floor which was both uncomfortable and unhealthy. I got some livestock which relieved me from the tedious and tiresome work of going to the forest and cut down trees and burn charcoal.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that, I now have goats that I used to desire for so long. I have a bed and mattress, I sleep comfortably the whole night and I was relieved from the tedious and tiresome work of cutting trees and burning charcoal. I am happier and healthier now than I used to be, before I started receiving money from GiveDirectly. I am so grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was almost KES 42000 on buying 11 goats which is to me, both an investment and a sign of wealth that I had desired for so long. These goats I believe, since they are quite a number already, will continue to multiply and increase in numbers which I will be selling regularly at our local market during market days which will be my continuous source of income which enable me address the challenges I will be facing in the future, relieve me from the tedious and tiresome work of cutting trees and burning charcoal to sell. I also spent KES 8000 on buying a bed and mattress because I used to sleep on the floor, which was both uncomfortable and unhealthy, and I desired for so long to sleep somewhere comfortable. I am so happy that I now have a bed and mattress, I sleep comfortably and with no fear of waking up with body pains. All thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security for my family. I have been tilling my farm using a hoe and this has made me manage to till one acre only giving me two 90kg bags of maize. The two bags cannot sustain my family. Therefore, I am planning to use 50,000KES from the GiveDirectly transfer to buy two indigenous cows and an ox-plough for subsistence farming to boost my maize productivity. I will be able to till six acres of land which translate to 12 bags of maize which can serve my family for a whole year. I will use the balance to cater for my grandchildren school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. Immediately I wake up, I embark on light household chores such as cleaning my compound something that makes me happy unlike in the afternoon and evening hours when I engage in energy draining activities such as charcoal burning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life. I have been practicing subsistence farming which guarantees my family 2 90kg bags of maize every season. This has rendered my family food insecure for long. Once the produce is over, I am forced to engage in energy draining tasks such as charcoal burning so as to put a meal on the table. This has made me weak because at my age, engaging in charcoal burning makes me vulnerable to illness associated with old age.
