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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 the transfer in that, I was able to restart my livestock rearing after the death of my goats. In addition, I was able to complete the construction of my house by purchasing doors, at moment my belongings are safe in my house unlike before. Furthermore, my wife's business is flourishing well because she can purchase more stock hence additional income for the family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by sending us cash transfers directly to our mobile phone. Through this, our lives have transformed for the better. I don't see anything wrong with the program.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $156 of my second transfer on purchasing 2 doors for my 3 roomed house. I had constructed my house but I did not have enough money to purchase doors. Previously, my grandchildren and my neighbor's children could come into my house and play when l am away, in the process, they would destroy important documents and things in my house. I spent half of the remaining amount to purchase 5 goats this is because I was rearing goats earlier but they all died due to chronic disease. In addition, I bought clothes and food for my family. I invested the other half in my wife's business of selling cassava at the nearby market centre.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received an Mpesa message in my phone early in the morning and when I checked the contents, I realised I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was filled with an inexpressible joy as I celebrated this fortune with my family.
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 am now owning livestock which include a cow and some goats. I could not buy any of these at my own cost. They are living assets that I can readily rely on in case of a financial need. I am expecting them to multiply and have many of them. I did not have any livestock in my homestead thus this is my greatest achievement and I am proud to have them. I will be selling the milk that the cow will be producing and earn an income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger portion of my transfer on buying livestock which include three goats and a cow. It was my desire to have livestock like my neighbours but I could not buy any because of my lowly financial status. These are assets to me and I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number. I can sell the offspring to cater for my financial needs. In addition to this, I will also be getting milk from the cow for sell. I spent the remaining amount to buy new clothes for my children as well as foodstuffs that will serve us for a long time.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been nursing my leg for a long. I managed to visit different hospitals but I got no assistance. The doctors advised me to visit a specialist but I never managed due to financial problems. When I receive the cash I will use 50,000 to treat my leg, the remaining amount will be used to add more stock in my cassava business which will enable me to get more income to assist in any financial crisis.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The cassava vending business usually forced me to wake up early in the morning and move around to my customers. This always becomes tiresome. The evening is the happiest part of my day because I feel relaxed and I normally interact with my family and narrating our daily stories.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The financial crisis is the biggest hardship I faced in my life. As a cassava vendor, I usually move around our nearby town with my small bicycle to sell the cassava. My business has slowed down during this COVID 19 period. Sometimes I end up getting an income of 3000 shilling per month, which is not enough to treat my leg as well as expanding my business.
