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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($517 USD)
access_time over 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 from how it would be because as we speak I have moved to a bricked, iron-roofed house with a plastered floor. I have all the necessities that a household requires thanks to GD's transfers. Before, I was in a grass-thatched house with a mud wall. I did not have utensils and the floor was also mud. This was uncomfortable but bearable because there was no option out.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I believe GD has lifted the living standards of many in the community. We were living in houses that were in bad condition. But this is not the case anymore.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Upon receiving my recent transfers, I spent the entire amount to facilitate the construction of a bigger and better house for my family. Before the transfers, I was living in a tiny grass-thatched house with a mad wall. This has lifted my living standards as much as the project was never completed.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($534 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Through the transfer, I managed to buy enough building materials for the construction of a new house. I was previously living in an old small house that was in a bad state, for it was not stable and its roof was dilapidated. Because of my low finacial status, I could not afford to rebuild it to be more permanent. I thank GiveDirectly for I am now a happy woman because very soon, I will be living in my new semi-permanent house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received my transfer around 10 pm as I was preparing myself to bed. On checking the contents of the message, I was filled with immeasurable joy because to me, it was a great relief from the tiresome charcoal burning job that I was doing as the main economic activity. I could not wait for daybreak to plan for this money as I immediately started budgeting for the building materials that I would use in building a new house.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 45000 of my first transfer to purchase building materials such as iron sheets, building poles and other requirements for the construction of a new house. Initially, I was sheltering in an old small house with a dilapidated roof, which I could not renovate because I was not able to meet the full cost of materials. I am now in the process of building a new spacious and iron-roofed house to live in with my family. I spent the remaining portion of the transfer on shopping for my family on some basic neccesities such as foodstuffs and clothing.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have desired to have a decent house for a very long time but this is not achievable because of insufficient funds. My current house is single-roomed and I always pray that I don't get visitors because I cannot accommodate them. Besides being small, the walls are almost collapsing thus I live in fear that they might burry me someday. I also spend sleepless nights because of the frequent rattling sound from the loose iron sheets. This transfer has come as a saviour to me because I will construct a better house that is safe and decent for human life. I will also purchase goats for rearing that will generate income once they multiply. This will raise my financial status and I will be able to provide for my family without difficulty.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happier in the morning when I wake up feeling healthy and ready for a new day. This is because my occupation requires a lot of energy and I cannot be productive if I am weak. Such strength compels me to work hard bearing the fact that I am the only source of livelihood in my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The death of my husband came as a big blow to my family. Raising six children singlehandedly has never been easy because I do not have a stable job. To sustain them, I burn charcoal which earns me a maximum of 700 shillings a month. This saw five of them missing education and only one managed to complete secondary school.
