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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I was in a position to buy building materials and build a better Latrines. I depend on casual jobs in the village and sometimes to get this jobs is so hard. I had no extra money or saving to build a better Latrines . We had an old toilets which was almost falling apart. It was so risky using them, one could almost fall down on the pit latrine. When I received the second transfer I found it wise to invest on building the best latrines. I no longer worried whenever I have visitors. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard and given us better life.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly to buy building materials and build a better washroom. I had build some washroom but it was Almost falling down. It was so old and worn out. The rest of the money I bought food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1.50 pm after lunch while relaxing outside my house. It's when my kids brought my phone after hearing the SMS alert and jubilations from my village. On checking my phone, I confirmed to have received the transfers and I was elated.I had eagerly waited for it only for it to come three days later.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is having adequate water storage hence saving time that would be spent fetching water for my farm work. The transfers have also relieved me of school fees burdens of which we used to rely on farming of maize and goat farming to pay school fees. My kids are also very grateful because of the decent clothing, adequate food and my family has grown healthier and happier.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 19000 on a 3000 liters water tank for water storage because accessing clean water is quite a challenge. I also spent KES 8000 on two goats because they grow fast and multiply fast. I also spent KES 15,000 on payment of school fees for my son in college. I also spent KES 10,000 on latest clothing fashion because we used to buy second hand clothes. I also spent some on food and the rest on cementing a water Kentank.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean shortage of water will be unheard of in my my family. We are facing acute water problem in our region since we experience prolonged period of drought and we are unable to have our own well; this place is rocky. My intention therefore, is to buy water tank of approximately Ksh 30,000 and take advantage of rainy season to tap water. Solving this major problem will be my pride.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is because I spend my morning hours doing my household chores and later go to work in my garden where I have grown kales and onions for domestic use. I then use my afternoon hours looking after my 6 cattle until late in the evening. Having time to relax with my family in the evening as I prepare supper brings joy in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced in life is prolonged period of drought. This has led to low crop production and inadequacy of water for domestic use. Even though the land under cultivation in which we have grown maize is only one acre, we harvest at most 5 bags which hardly enough to cater for a family of 6. We are therefore planning to venture into dairy farming in the near future in order to supplement from what we get in our one acre of land.
