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 ($465 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?
Since I do not have a reliable source of income, I had not been able to initiate my personal development plans. As a matter of fact, the only property I have ever owned throughout my lifetime is just an ancestral parcel of land, that is relatively too small to be shared among three brothers. Therefore, when GiveDirectly enrolled me in its program, I developed a goal of buying my own piece of land. My aim is to get an additional plot that I can use to carry on with some farming practices. As soon as I accomplished this goal, I developed a plan of acquiring a new motorcycle for the bodaboda business. Bodaboda is a simple-to-start business that will go a long way in helping me to raise an extra income for my household.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The approach of giving unconditional cash transfer is a good model that makes GiveDirectly's work unique and admirable. This is one thing that in my opinion GiveDirectly does so well and through this many lives have been positively transformed. As a result of the transfer, I currently own a parcel of land. This could not work previously since I had no reliable source of income. In general, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being driven with a desire to acquire an additional parcel of land, I prioritized spending 40,000 KES from my most recent transfer to top up payment for my parcel of land that I had previously identified. I am hopeful that the parcel of the land will greatly be helpful to my family. We shall cultivate it in order to raise more crops for my household. Later on, when my sons grow to adulthood, I shall establish my home in the said parcel. For sure, I shall live to remember this support from GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy on receiving the message alert from GiveDirectly that evening. I was not expecting but on reading the message and confirming it, I realized that I had received the first part of the promise that I had been anticipating. I was alone at home then and being aware of all that I needed to do, I could not wait to silently get out of the house the next morning to the nearest shopping center where I could withdraw and make the first purchases.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the peace of mind that I currently have after the completion of a new house that had taken longer than I expected. The money I received played a great role in ensuring that I paid all the labor charges in full and purchased all that I was still missing to enhance the completion of the project. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for this and even other investments that I have been able to make.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Living with my family of three in a small hut that is old and sometimes leaks on the roof whenever it rained has always given me a lot to worry about especially with the health of my kid. I had started the construction around six months ago but halted at some point since I run short of finances. Redeciving this transfer allowed me to spend KES 23000 on sourcing other construction materials and also paid the labor charges to complete the construction. I also settled all the debts that I had in the neighborhood and the immediate shopping center worth KES 10000, obtained enough foodstuff for my family at KES 10000, and also bought two sheep at KES 80000 that I am currently rearing with the hope to see them multiply to buy me a dairy cow when I sell in the coming two years.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money signifies a stable marriage to me. The loss of my job led to an inability to fend for my family .I lost my job last year at a time that I was not ready to,I had utilized all my savings in purchasing a piece of land and had started a construction of the house hoping to complete it with the monthly salary.When the employment ended everything came to a standstill, I had no one to run to because my parents are very old .My wife and I separated for a while because I could not afford to provide for both our needs.I will use KES 40000 to complete my house and also buy a dairy cow that will enhance food security through the consumption of milk. The surplus milk will also be sold to generate incomes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past three days my wife gave birth to a pretty baby girl.This has given me happiness because we have an additional member to my family and both are in good health at the moment.I am also proud to be a father because for a long time I have been yearning to be one.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment and food security are the current challenges I face.The lack of a stable job has disrupted my goals.I lost my job last year and my ambition of making a good and happy family was disoriented .My wife had to stay in her parent's home for some time because of my inability to take care of her and feed her during her pregnancy period.Because of lack of capital, I did not give her the attention and the emotional support she needed and this hurts me a lot.
