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 ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to start livestock rearing especially goats as my reliable source of income. This is because they can service drought conditions and are less prone to disease, unlike cows. It will be my alternative source of income since the charcoal vending job that I am depending on is very tiresome and the income is hardly enough to fully cater to our needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well do for helping the less fortunate households in the society. Through the unconditional direct cash transfer, we were able to solve our financial issues. Sending direct cash is to our phone is what it did well. I feel there is nothing that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to construct a two-roomed house for my children. We were spending our night at the same house which was not enough. I had wished to own a separate house for the kids but I lack the finances. I used KES 20,000 to purchase the required building materials such as 20 iron sheets, 50 building poles, nails, and timber. I also used KES 10,000 for labor costs. The remaining assisted me in buying sufficient foodstuffs for the family since there is drought and famine in our area.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so good when I got my money. This is because I had been promised and I was eagerly waiting, so it was a good thing and I felt very happy the moment I received the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
There is no big difference in my life as far as I can see, it is just normal. I am just grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on buying iron sheets that cost a total of KES20000 which were for building a house for my son who is still in Pre-Primary school. This is because we used to share the same house and I felt it wise to get him a separate house. I also bought a mattress worth KES5000 because the mattress we were sleeping on previously was worn out and it was not very comfortable. However, I did not spend the whole transfer because on consultation with my husband, we agreed that we should wait and monitor the situation because it is very dry for livestock which we wanted to buy as well. When it rains then we can consider buying a few livestock to keep.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means financial freedom for me and hence a better livelihood. My husband is polygamous (4 wives) and this has made us assume other roles like education expenses for our children and clothing. My husband's major role is to feed the family and since his income depends on charcoal vending, it's usually very low and inconsistent. Once I receive this money, I intend to invest in livestock especially goats and sheep because they multiply fast. This will enable me to sell whenever I have financial problems. I plan to spend a better portion of the first transfer approximately $300 to buy 7 goats and 3 sheep. The remaining amount of the first transfer will aid in constructing a separate house for my children while the second transfer will act as capital to support my husband's job.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of my day because, at this time, I usually have more time to relax and have a moment of laughter with my children. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am always away from home doing my charcoal work, a very tiresome chore.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The financial crisis has always been my biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. Imagine failing to raise even $2 to pay for my children's examination fee! It's the worst thing that I never thought to happen. This has forced me to engage in charcoal work to hustle for my children, a very energy-intensive job.
