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 ($528 USD)
access_time 4 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 would have been if I never received the transfer in that I build a better and spacious house for my family. It was not easy before because I do not have a source of income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving out unconditional cash transfer to the poor to improve their standard of living. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend my second transfer on to buy building materials to complete the construction that was ongoing and the rest of the money I used it to buy food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($532 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I have bought building materials ready to build a better and spacious house for my family. We live in a small house that cannot host all my family comfortably. I earn a small income from casual jobs in the village. The income from these jobs is so small and can only gather for basic needs. I had always wanted to build a spacious house but because I did not have the money it was not possible to do so. When I received the money I found this as a good opportunity for me to full fill my dream. I have bought all the building materials and construction will start off soon. I am so much happy because I know that my children will have a good place to sleep and whenever I have visitors I will not shy to welcome them like before. I am so much happy because GiveDirectly has brought change in our home and we are so much grateful for this.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy. I had switched off my phone the previous night and when I switched on in the morning, I got a message on my phone from GiveDirectly confirming that I have received a sum of 55000KES from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. I knew from that point that I will be in a position to build my dream house. My family members were so happy because of such great support.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy building materials ready to build a better house for my family. We lived in a small house that cannot host all my family members comfortably and the rest of the money I used it to buy food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means i will be able to cement the floor of my half way built house, install ceiling boards, windows and doors at a cost Ksh 37,000. I also plan to relocate my cereals business from the village to town then fully stock my cereals shop using my second transfer.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After my children have left home for school in the morning, my spouse and i usually take our time to plan the day's activities. This is the time i usually feel motivated and optimistic that the day will be a success, which is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to lack of employment, my spouse and i resolved to sell our sheep and goats one year ago then we topped up the money with a loan we had borrowed from the bank in order to initiate an income generating activity. Cereals business is what we decided to engage in though it has many challenges. Most of our clients are relatives, neighbours and friends who have pushed us to great losses with debts which they haven't been able to repay, thus making it difficult to repay our bank loans. This has given us second thoughts on whether to continue with the business or not, thanks to GD since we will use our transfer to relocate our shop to the market in town where selling our products on credit will be minimal.
