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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
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 it was when I had not received my transfer in that I am own a decent, two-roomed house for myself. I was able to purchase a sewing machine and started my tailoring course. Also, I was able to pay school fees for my children which relieved me from the stress that had filled my mind.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I thank God because Givedirectly has enabled me to acquire a sewing machine and starting my dressmaking course. Also I had a challenge in educating my children but I was able to pay their fees with my transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend my transfer to purchase a sewing machine at $160. I also paid my college fees and that of my children and purchased some learning materials. I plan to spend the remaining amount to start a tailoring shop and to purchasing different types of linen once I am through with my course.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home at around 1000Hrs, I heard a message come into my phone and when I checked the message, it was the Mpesa message. I was very very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have cows, and I was also able to pay school fees for my children with no difficulty. I also repaired my house whose door was almost falling.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to purchase two cows, to pay school fees for my children and to repair my house. I am a housewife while my husband is a motorbike rider, and we have four children. Although he owns the motorbike, he doesn't always make enough money that would enable us to afford a cow or to always pay school fees in full for our children. I was very grateful to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My household majorly depends on motorcycle taxi business operated by my husband. We are happy to have this source of income even though it is not a stable and it doesn't earn us enough to gather for our needs and savings. To me receiving this money means a change in life. I am planning to spend much of it on livestock. I feel my life will greatly change in that I will have added asset that can give us more milk for household use and sales. I will have calves that will be my future financial securities thus I foresee a better life to come.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a mother, I feel great to see a healthy and happy family. The happiest part of my day is in the morning when we are up in good health. I happy looking at my happy family takes the daily breakfast ready to embark on different chores and education for my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The year 2010 is when I joined my husband ready to start our own family. We were younger and had no economical pillar to start off with. The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is lacking a house to call home. We struggled till we were able to build a grass-tharched mud wall house that we're forced to live in before it completion for more than six years. We spent our nights in cold since we could be rained on. I pity myself moreso my young children whom we were already blessed with.
