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 ($435 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am glad that I was able to accomplish most of the plans that I had before receiving the transfer. I now intend to expand my malimali shop and possibly make it a wholesale shop. With this I will be able to support my family alongside my husband's income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The freedom to choose how to spend the money we received from GiveDirectly was the best as every household in the village had varied needs that they ought to have handled their way. I am grateful for this well-thought idea that favored every person who received the money. No one complained then and even at the moment, we are still thankful for everything.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a small business owner and a mother of five children. Three of which are in the university, one in secondary and one in primary school. I deal with selling plastic household stuff and my husband is a farmer. When I received the second transfer, we sat down with my husband and agreed on how to utilise the funds. Since we didn't have a decent a house, we decided to build one. We bought all the needed materials from the nearby hardware store and the constructions stared immediately. All the second transfer was used in building the house and we are grateful that we now have a decent house to shelter us.
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?
I was very happy to finally see a confirmation message of the first transfer that had been expecting from GiveDirectly. It was around 8:00 am when I got the message and with my children and my husband at home, I had to inform them right there. They were very excited and thankful that all we had been planning were finally coming to pass. My husband was getting ready to go to the market where he had been doing daily businesses at that moment and we had to plan later in the evening and align on what to prioritize. I withdrew the whole amount in the nearby shopping center a week later when all were set.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the huge transformation registered after receiving my first transfer. I am happy that my house which has been on a halt after I run short of the finances for almost 10 years is finally complete with clean floors that are so easy to clean. I am looking forward to establishing other new projects once I receive the second transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been living in an incomplete house for a long period after running short of finances to make the final furnishing. The floors of my current house had been dusty and would always plaster them with fresh mud or frequently sprinkle water to settle the dust. On receiving the first transfer, it was the household decision to complete the plastering of the floors. I had to purchase gravel, sand, and 20 bags of cement each at KES 800, and also paid the labor charges of KES 10000 that worked on the completion. Even though the work consumed all the transfers I had received, I am glad that all the three rooms in my house are complete and easy to clean, and my esteem whenever a visitor visit is no longer low. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the generous support and looking forward to the second transfer that will help in constructing another new room to accommodate my whole family of seven and also other projects that I am set to establish.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better education for my children. I have four children at the Secondary level and currently, I owe the school KES. 75,000/as the accrued balance. Being a businesswoman, I have a shop that earns me an average of KES.350 per day. This is what we use to buy food and other daily needs of the household. Sometimes back I was forced to borrow a loan from Sacco that we run in the village and did not manage to clear the school fees. I am happy today that my children will have a humble time in school. I intend to clear all the arrears of KES.75,000 using Givedirectly transfers. The remaining amount will cater for increasing the stock in my shop.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past 5 months, I bought 2 heifers and they are almost calving. It is a small project that I am trying to venture in. I am happy that this project will boost my income. I will have enough milk for my family and also sell the surplus within the community and support my children in their education.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main challenge that I currently face is financial constraints. I have four children in secondary and one at the university level. My husband used to be security personnel in Nairobi. Since the onset of COVID-19, he came home and he has been around with us without any job. All the responsibilities of the family are pegged on me. It is strenuous and this transfer will be a shoulder to lean on.
