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 ($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?
Before GiveDirectly came to enroll us, I was sheltering in a small grass thatched Hut. Were it not for GiveDirectly supporting us financially, then I would still be living in that old grass thatched hut. As at now, I can attest that my life is different because I am now living in an iron roofed house. I managed to purchase adequate building materials which include ironsheets, timber, building poles and constructed a new decent house. In addition, I also bought livestock which include goats and a cow. I am expecting them to increase in number, so that I can sell the offspring to help me in case of a financial need.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving us the transfers unconditionally, which has given us freedom to choose and spend the money according to our needs. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly doesn't do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 11500 of my second transfer on purchasing a new wooden bed and a mattress to replace the old and worn out beddings that I have been using for years. I now enjoy a comfortable sleep on the new beddings unlike before. In addition to this, I also bought a cow at KES 19000. Having livestock to me is a saving for the future because once the cow reproduces, then I can sell the offspring to help me out in case of a dire financial need. I spent the remaining money to buy some foodstuffs and meeting some other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($552 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that previously I was living in a house that was in bad condition. It was a leaky grass-thatched house and every time it rained, we had to always stay awake until the rain could subside. Nowadays, I am owning a new house which I stay in comfortably. All this I acquired through the financial help which I received from GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the notification very early in the morning. At this moment, I was greatly amused at the sum of money that GiveDirectly had sent to me as I went through the message. I could not hold the happiness in my heart and the joy that finally replaced the sorrows that I have gone through in my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to purchase building materials in order to construct a new house. Previously I was living in an old house that due to ageing, it was nearly collapsing and during times of rains, it used to leak profusely for it was grass-thatched. I am now happily living in my new house and for sure, this was the achievement that I never thought of getting into my life for I had never imagined that my life would completely change build a house. I also spent on buying two goats that are my own assets and I am expecting them to increase in number and so as to sell them to meet future financial needs. I spent the rest of the transfer in buying the basic necessities for my family and also to pay school fees for them.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The heavy rains experienced last month almost brought down my old, mud walled and thatched roofed house in which I live with my 99 year old husband. One side of the walls is already collapsed and we are scared that very soon the whole house will crumble down. Receiving this money means I will be able to construct a new two bedroomed house made of mud walls and iron sheets to provide a safe haven for me and my husband hence fulfilling my greatest desire. Secondly I will rear livestock that I can sell in times of need in order to raise money for me and my husband's food, clothing and medication needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I solely depend on farming to sustain my husband and I. I therefore spend my day in the farm ploughing to ensure I get good harvest. The happiest part of my day is in the evening because that is when I come home to rest after a long day in the hot sun. This is also the time when I get to sit down with my husband and spend time with him after being apart for many hours.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life is lack of financial resources to ensure food security in my house and build a better shelter for me and my husband. My husband is too old, can not walk because of wounds that have been difficult to treat and therefore solely depends on me for all his needs such as food, clothing and medication yet I do not have any reliable source of income. I mainly depend on subsistence farming to feed my family but that too has not been fruitful due to low rainfall experienced in the last two years.
