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
55000 KES ($455 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to purchase more land. I stay in a very small piece of land. My husband works as a businessman and we plan to pull our resources together to pay school fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well by supporting everyone uncondionally by giving aid in form of cash.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used KES 35000 to purchase a water tank and used the amount that remained to buy food and other basic household needs. Made a decision to buy a water tank because of the perennial shortage of water. I do not have access to clean drinking water and I looked forward to purchasing it. I have a small piece of land and I cold not dig a pan. GiveDirectly came when I was building a new house and was thinking of how to get money for furnitures. I normally work as a businesswoman and the little that I got was used to pay back loans that I had borrowed.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($470 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 9 am when I came back home from my farm. I decided to check my phone as usual. There was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and immediately informed my family members and everyone was so happy too. This was one of the happiest days of my life. I knew I would be able to complete the construction of the new house that I had started using my saving. It has stopped at some point due to a lack of money. I stayed for a week and started to source the materials. I am so grateful for the support because I was able to purchase the materials on 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 purchased all the necessary materials that were needed to complete the construction of my new house. This was my main challenge at that particular time. I depend on small-scale farming and business in the town near home. This has been earning me some income. I was able to save some amount and started the construction process. But it stopped at some point because my savings were exhausted. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy and used the money to purchase the paints, and curtains rods among other things. The house is done and I am so grateful for the support. Were it not GiveDirectly all this could not have happened on time. It could have taken quite some time. GiveDirectly has changed our living standards and enabled us to achieve our dream.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend all the first transfer on purchasing building materials to complete the construction of the house. I had saved some money from the small business that I run at home. I was able to start the construction of the new house but at some point had stopped due to lack of money. I didn't know where to get the money and this could have taken quite some time to save. With GiveDirectly transfer I was able to purchase paints and other materials that were needed. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has allowed me to complete this on time.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will really have a great impact to me. My newly built permanent house is not yet complete. I have been wishing to paint it and buy furniture to enable me settle and have a comfortable lifestyle. I could wish to buy seven-seater sofa which costs approximately KES 40000 and use the remaining cash for painting if I become a beneficiary. I am happy to be part of Give Directly's program.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Construction of my permanent house started on December 2022. It became the genesis of my joy. I am happy that in a few months to come, I will be dwelling in a fully furnished house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently food prices are very high and possibly people have resorted to giving a priority to domestic consumption. This has greatly affected my home decoration business since people no longer give it a priority. I am so worried about the future of my business.
