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 ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I had a new goal that developed after receiving the cash transfer which was to renovate my house. It had all over the walls and I worried that it could collapse at any time. This could bring more harm, especially to my properties. Also, I fear that I will be homeless.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by helping all the residents in my village financially. This empowered me to construct a beautiful house for my son since I had the freedom to highlight all my needs. Also from my perspective, I do not see any sector that GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on building materials such as iron sheets at KES 12000, and the labor charges of KES 10000. I had intended to construct a new house for my son who has been sleeping at his friend's house for years. As a parent, it has been stressing me, and felt like I had failed since it was my responsibility to make sure he sleeps in a conducive environment. To add to that I bought a new mattress at KES 4000 and a new bed at KES 5000. I am now happy that we are sleeping in a decent place. Previously we used to sleep on the floor and it has never been easy at all. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was sweeping my compound at around 8am when I heard some ululation from some of the members in our extended family. Before inquiring what was going on, I heard someone mentioning GiveDirectly. Without wasting time I hurriedly went in my house to check my phone only to realize that the ululations were a celebration for receiving the first transfer. I felt so happy and ululated inwardly while in my house. Usually I don’t like publicizing my issues.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There are two biggest differences in my life now. One is that I managed to take my son to college and also bought a sewing machine hoping that he won’t have hard time after completing his course something I did not think it would come to pass. Secondly, I was able to restore my happiness by constructing a house for my son who used to seek for accommodation every night.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a jobless widow is a challenging condition. On receiving the transfer, I paid some college fees for my son who does a tailoring course. I also bought him a sewing machine so that he starts practicing what he learns in college earlier in order for him to perfect the art of tailoring. I was also uncomfortable seeing my grown up boy seeking for shelter from friends, I felt shame. So, I decided to construct him a house. As at now, I am waiting for the second transfer so that I renovate my house too by placing pillars so as to make my house more firm.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will take my son to a tailoring college which he has been dreaming to go for many years .The college will cost me 20,000 shillings to cover the whole tailoring course. I will spend 50,000 shillings to repair my house ! it is too old and it needs a lot of repair, the roof is leaking and I want to cement all my house .I will spend 10,000 shillings to buy food for my family and save the rest for any emergency and for my healthy security.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is during the morning because I woke up and seen another day ; I thank God for giving me another day! However as the day ticks by I feel uncomfortable especially if I do not have food to cook nor money to buy what I want to eat.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship is my first week of marriage when I was newly married to my husband and my mother inlaw- the mother to my late husband never wanted her son to marry in our family because of long family conflicts. My late husband's mother did not feel happy and comfortable on my marriage to her son , but his son insisted and through his stand, we managed to live together as couples and lastly the parents forgot their family differences and conflicts and my marriage survived until my husband died.This is my biggest hardship in my life.
