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 ($422 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The current house I am living in is my brother’s and I do not have my own house. I am planning to continue doing my business of selling my second hand clothes to start my house building project. I am tired of living in my brother’s house and I want to feel free in everything that I do.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Thank you very much to GiveDirectly for everything; the money they send has significantly improved both my life and the life of my family's.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother who lives in her brother’s rental house. The moment I received my second transfer, I spent $300 on buying a cow for myself since I had none. In my life, I always desired to get myself a smartphone and I used $100 to buy myself that smart phone that really made me happy and smile every time I get to call and text people. The remaining amount of $130 I spent on food and getting my child a new clothes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 am while still asleep when I heard a message alert on my phone. On checking, I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. Immediately, I woke up and went for the money in the nearest mobile money agent because I was afraid of money shortage.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is owning a young bull. This will be key in the purchase of land once it's fully grown.
Secondly, through the transfers, I have adequate food which can sustain me for the next two months. I have also grown healthier and happier than before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the transfers, I spent KES 25,000 on a young bull. This is because it grows fast and I intend to sell it later for a piece of land. Additionally, I have saved KES 10,000 towards the purchase of land once I sell the bull.
Secondly, I also spent KES 8, 000 on a bag of maize, 10 kilos of rice food, and other household items. This will sustain my family for the next three months. Earlier, I could not afford such because as a temporary teacher I earn KES 5000 monthly paid in bits.
Lastly, I also spent KES 5,000 on the latest clothing fashion for me and my kid which is more decent than the previous second-hand clothes.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I work as a teacher in a nearby primary school employed under casual terms.This income is not sustainable because we depends on the amount parents pay sometimes it takes two months to get salary. Starting a small clothes business will boost my income apart from teaching.I am planning to use KES 30,000 to purchase stock. The rest I will use to purchase a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month parents from the neighboring village received transfers from Give directly and they cleared school fees for their children. This brought happiness to me because I was paid on time, unlike the previous months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am facing currently is food scarcity. Irregular payment of salary makes my creditors to view me as untrustworthy. This has been embarrassing and sometimes I am forced to do casual jobs at peoples farm to earn money for food.
