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 ($483 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?
Yes I'm planning to build a shop in the nearly market so that I can open a general shop which my wife will be operating.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
As the poorest in the society, we feel forgotten and hopeless. What GiveDirectly does well is uplifting people live me and giving hope to the hopeless.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My major plan last year was to build a two roomed house for my family because we were living in a single room which I was build by my father while I was young and unmarried. I had saved enough for the project and had put up the structure already but unfortunately, my daughter became sick and passed away. I spent all the savings that I had to cater for the medical and burial expenses and I was left with nothing. I was leaving in fear that the structure would be rained on and collapse but the transfer came in handy. I spend the most recent transfer to buy iron sheets and pay the mason who was putting up the roof. I'm so grateful that my house is complete and we have already moved in a bigger space.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am an electrician and was working one morning when I felt my phone vibrate. I decided to check it, and could not believe it when I saw the message from GiveDirectly that I had received KES 55,000. Words can not describe how happy I was.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now own a motorcycle, which enables me to move around efficiently in search of work. I am an electrician who needs to move around frequently. However, I could not afford to buy one because I only earn about KES 600 per task, if I'm lucky to get work. I was so happy to receive the transfer which enabled me to pay off the motorbike. I can now earn money and spend it on meeting my family's needs, and not on paying off debt.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A few months ago, I acquired a motorcycle on credit. I need it to move around since I am an electrician, but, I sadly could not afford to buy it. So I spent KES 15,000 of the transfer to pay an instalment for the same. I then spent KES 39,000 on buying a silage chopper for the efficient feeding of my cattle.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Three months ago we lost our firstborn daughter. The money I had saved to build a house I spent all on her treatment. When she passed on our culture required us to demolish the house we used to live in and start a new one. I constructed a simple structure as it was required urgently. When I get this money I will use it to build a bigger house. My house will cost around KES 20000. So this money will assist me in purchasing materials.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the challenges, I have been through of losing a child. My wife's health improvement has brought joy and happiness. Since her ailment, I have been worried that I was going to lose her too.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge has been financial constraints. After the death of our child, my wife got sick and has since been on medication. Every 2 weeks, she goes for a checkup at Litein hospital. On every visit, we spend KES 4000 which was very expensive for me. I am Electrician but the little money I earn I spent on her treatment. Most projects that we had had to be postponed due to insufficient money.
