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 ($529 USD)
access_time almost 6 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 than it would have been if I never received money from GiveDirectly because I live in a big beautiful house which I could not afford to build on my own since I had an unreliable source of income and could not save enough to build a better one. I am now proud of my house and can easily welcome guests unlike in the past when I was so ashamed of my house and could not easily welcome visitors.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Givedirectly does well in helping the poor to transform their lives by letting them make their own choices on how to spend their transfers. This has enabled the recipients to spend their transfers on sustainable development projects which if all goes well will earn them better income in future and they are now respected in the community. On the other hand, I have not noticed anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to finish my house which I had started building with my first transfer. I used to live in a small mud house with an old leaking roof which forced us to pile our household items in one corner to avoid being messed up with the rain. I am now living in a more spacious house and I no longer get worried about the rains messing us up. Moreover, I spent my transfer on buying two sacks of maize which we will consume as we wait for the next harvest. This would enhance food security in my family during this long dry season. I also spent my transfer to buy some chicken which I have wished to have since a flu outbreak swept the ones I had two years ago. I am hopeful that they lay eggs which we will consume as well as sell to raise some income for my household.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I had a small and old house which had a leaking roof and has made my life very uncomfortable especially during the rainy season but as per now, that is no longer my worry because Give Directly helped me put up a new house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt very good because I did not know if I will ever get such amount of money in my old age.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheets, cement and timber which I used in building a new house and household items such as food, bedding and sofa set.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that Givedirectly have given me the opportunity to invest in my poultry farming that I lost during the disease outbreak that killed all my birds. This means that I will also be able to repair my house whose roof is leaking and the remaining balance I will use to pay for my grandson a driving course.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning because at my age I only appreciate the beauty of a new day which comes with new blessings including even being visited with guests like the Givedirectly officers.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life was being admitted in Eldoret which was far from my home, my grandchildren had to sell all the three goats I had and seek friends and relatives assistance to sort my medical bill, this was the most difficult moment for me.
