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 ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Now that I have a better house, I am able to sleep well and more comfortably because I do not have to bear the cold anymore unlike before when I used to live in an old and leaking house. This is also because I now have a good mattress and new beddings. I am no longer embarrassed to have visitors in my house since I now have a good house and beautiful chairs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly did well in ensuring the aid comes straight to us in the form of cash through our phones. This gives one the choice and the freedom to use the money according to his/her unique needs. I only wish that this was a long term project.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used part of the second transfer to buy a dairy a cow to aid in milk production for domestic use and for commercial purposes. I used the rest of it to buy foodstuff, seats for my new house which I built using the first transfer and other household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($541 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that moving forward, my family will have a spacious house which is in a good condition. This brings so much joy in my heart. The fact that I will for once be feeling safe while sleeping, it will be a big relief to me. I will not be worrying of rains soaking our beddings during rainy season which has always made me want to cry out my heart to the Lord for He has shown me mercy when I least expected it.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning as I was preparing breakfast for my family when I received my transfers. At that instant, I became so happy and I started singing some praise songs thanking God for the blessings that just came in. My happiness on that day had no measure as it was my first time receiving such a huge amount of money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
It has always been my prayer to build a bigger house for my family since the one I had was small and old which was threatening to fall down any time. Its roof was leaking during the rainy season which made it hard for us to sleep. When I received my first transfers, I used part of it to purchase building materials such as iron sheets, nails, timber, doors and windows and in paying a mason. I received this transfers during planting season in my region so I used part of it in buying maize seeds, fertilizers and in hiring a tractor to till my farm so that I would be able to plant on time like other people. Buying maize flour has always been a routine and it is costly and after building my house and planting, I used the remaining amount in buying two sacks of maize as it is relatively cheaper and it will also last us for some time as we wait for the next harvest.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I normally cultivate maize on my farm without using the necessary/quality inputs so as to have a good harvest. This has always resulted in low maize production. Now, receiving this cash transfer will mean that I'll be able to purchase quality farm inputs among them hybrid seeds and fertilizer. This will go along way in ensuring that I get maximum production on my maize farm. Thank you so much GD.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is the time I normally come back from the farm and carrying with me some farm produce for my family to take for supper. The joy portrayed by my kids while taking supper together as a family makes me feel alive.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Getting basic needs especially food for my family has always been an uphill task for me. This is because being a casual labourer means I don't have a regular flow of income for me to cater for the needs of my family on a daily basis. As a result, some days my family have to skip or take the very little food that I can get whenever someone offers me a job to do. This for me is the biggest hardship I have ever experienced.
