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 ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I plan to venture into dairy farming and the money gave me a great kick start since i bought a good dairy cow that i am now milking 7ltrs and so i am able to pay school fees for my children and give them a balanced diet.I plan to add more cows to increase my milk production
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The chance to choose what i need as a recipient was a great idea
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Bought a cow and furniture for my house which we used to sit on the floor and jericans previously
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just finished having breakfast when at about 9 a.m, I heard my phone ring. On checking it, I realised that I had received the KES 55,000 I had been expecting from GiveDirectly. I became ecstatic because I could not wait to begin the construction of my new house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am proud to have constructed a modern, two-bedroom house for my family. Before this, we lived in a tiny, grass-thatched house. I was unhappy about this, especially since I wanted better living conditions for my two children. Sadly, I could not afford to build another, due to a lack of finances. This cash transfer, however, has changed that. Our new home is spacious and meets our needs as a family. My children have a decent place to lay their heads, which is such a relief.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Until a few weeks ago, we lived in a small, grass-thatched house. I always longed for the day I could build a better house for my two children. So I was pleased to receive this cash transfer from GD. I spent KES 39,000 on the construction of a new home. This catered for the costs of construction material such as timber, iron sheets, bricks, and labour. I also spent KES 10,000 on buying new clothes for the four of us. Our old ones were in terrible condition. Finally, I spent KES 5,000 on maize and beans, to ensure there was enough food for the household.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We are living in a small grass-thatched shanty which acts as a kitchen and at the same time as the living room. The house is too small to accommodate a family of four. Whenever I receive visitors, I host them at my father inlaw's house, and I detest it with passion. This has lowered my self-esteem as a parent. With an estimated cost of KES 30,000, we intend to build a better one and thus improving our lives. Therefore, receiving this money means improved self-esteem.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We have 0.5 acres of land which we have subdivided into portions; in one portion we have grown maize and beans on the other. I spend my morning hours on that piece of land weeding, digging, and planting. I spend my afternoon hours doing other household chores and later fetch firewood and water for domestic use. Seeing my husband back home with food in the evening completes my day. Having time to relax as we chat with the rest of the family in the evening is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable sources of income has been the biggest hardship we have faced in life. My husband works as a house construction person within and outside the village. He earns approximately KES 300 a day as a wage yet the job itself is unreliable because he rarely gets one. With that meager amount of wage, it is hard to cater to a family of four yet we have a school-going child who is in kindergarten. Give directly's entry into our village is a stepping stone into creating a golden age in our lives.
