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 ($490 USD)
access_time 4 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 now because I was able to cement my house floor. This will go in hand to reducing exposure of my family to respiratory tract diseases such as coughing caused by the dusty mud smeared floor. I was also able to buy a dairy cow hoping very soon I will no longer have to buy milk as I have always done and this will enable me save up more. I will also be selling the surplus milk so as to make additional income that will see us meet other family expenses.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly does well by sending us money directly through our phones because if the money passed through hands of politicians or government officials likely some of us could have gotten it. I have not seen anything that Give Directly has not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the transfers on improving my house, from a mud smeared floor to a cemented one. I used the rest on buying a dairy cow.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($515 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I woke up when I heard sms notification on my phone. It wasn't usual for me to receive messages that early but when I checked on its content I saw that I had just received my first transfers. I felt so happy as I knew that the money would enable me to make my dreams come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is different in that I no longer walk for long distance to fetch water and I can now have all the time to work on my farm. I also have water for irrigating my garden and for livestock. I am happy that Give Directly has enabled me to make all this advancement in life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first transfers which I received from Give Directly,I used part of it as registration fee for water connection, buy water pipes and tank. I have been walking for a long distance to fetch water for household and livestock use. I chose to spent it on resolving water issues that was consuming much of my time and I am now happy since I no longer walk for a long distance as I have tap water at my homestead. I spent the remaining portion, I divided into two and spent the first portion on buying some iron sheets in readiness to constrict a new house once I get my second transfers. The second portion I spent on buying some food and clothes for my family members.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am planning to spend $250 of the first transfer to build a new house so as to stay close to my old and ailing father-in-law who has not been feeling well for a long time and needs close attention. With a part of the remaining amount, I want to use $150 to draw piped water to my homestead so that my children and I can get access to clean and safe water for drinking. For a while I have been using water from open water pans which potentially poses serious health complications. GiveDirectly cash transfer will make a huge impact in my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I love to work in my small chicken garden. In there I have grown vegetables that sustain my family with food and a little surplus for sale during rainy season. Working in my garden every morning gives me so much joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When I completed college last year, I have been idling at home without a source of income thus making me over depend on my husband. For a long time, my desire has been to open up a shop dealing in stationery in a nearby shopping center. The lack of employment has robbed me a deserved peace of mind. My worry is that I often think that I wasted my time and parent's meager resources going to school and ended up jobless.
