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 ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The new goal that I have is to start a grocery business that I can be operating in the afternoon hours. With this, I will be able to balance between working our farm and home chores while still making sure that I earn money by operating this business. I will be using the money that I will be getting to help my spouse in paying some of our bills.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am so grateful for what GiveDirectly did to me and other people in the village. They were transparent during the enrollment process and we all got equal amounts of money that enabled us to meet our goals in life. I would not have achieved what I did on my own and I am grateful for the helping hand that they gave me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We had been using an old structure whose roof was leaking and it was almost collapsing as our kitchen. We had not been able to build a decent one since my spouse is the only one who goes out to do some casual work while I stay at home and tend to our farm. My second transfer came in handy in building a more spacious one that is iron-roofed. I spent KES 25000 to purchase nails, timber, frames, iron sheets, door, windows and to pay for the labor. Also, I spent KES 10000 to hire a tractor to till our farm and on the purchase of hybrid maize seeds in preparation for planting. On the remaining amount, I bought foodstuffs utensils, and clothes for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9am when I heard a ringtone message. I was at HVe merry go round group that we have started in our village. When I checked the message I could not believe my eyes. It was message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I almost jumped up, I felt so happy. I wanted until the meeting was over. I rushed home and inform my spouse and children. Everyone felt so happy because we knew we would be able to meet our needs. I went and withdrew the money the same day and planned with my spouse in how to spent the money. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard. We have own a dairy cow which could have taken quite some time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a heifer. I always buy milk from my neighbors and it's so costly for me. I spent KES 60 per. We depend on small scale farming. We plant tomatoes and vegetables. We sometimes sell when the harvest is good. Due to the recurrent needs we are not able to save some money. We were not able to buy a dairy cow. When we received the transfer we felt so happy. Currently we have a heifer. We will get enough milk when it reproduced in the next few months. Our children won't go without milk like now. Whenever we have no money it's so heartbreaking because our children cannot get milk. GiveDirectly has given us hope that in the next few months everything gonna be alright. We are so grateful for the support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 22,000 to purchase a heifer. I will be able to get enough milk for my family when it reproduced in the next few months. I always buy milk from my neighbors and it's so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I depend on casual jobs in the village. The rest of the money I used on cloths and food for the family. We didn't had enough in store during that time.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means good shelter for my family. I have 3 children and the bigger child is 10 years old, I sleep with them under small room and there is no privacy at all. When I receive this money, my plan is to spend ksh 50,000 on building a 3 bedroom house that will accommodate my family and relatives when they visit my house. By doing that I will have my privacy and my children will have theirs as well. The remaining amount will go for school fees for the children and foodstuffs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day, after am done with farming activities, I prepare dinner for my family . At this time I get to rest and spend time with my family.My normal day starts at 8:am and ends at 5 in the evening when am done with farming.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is financial constraints. As a house wife and seeing my husband struggling to meet our basic needs and me not having a way of helping him, the little my husband gets goes for food and clothing's hence we can't develop the family to another level.
