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 ($442 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The new goal that I did not have before receiving the cash transfer is to open a retail shop within my village. Since I am now jobless, I believe that this business will be of great support to my entire family considering that my spouse also relies on casual jobs which are not that lucrative .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is the best organisation so far I have ever come across. Their uniqueness is seen in the way operate and how they have been treating us from the enrolment day to the final stage. Each one of us was satisfied and I do see anything that they deserve to change in terms of their services.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying four goats worthy of KES 14000. I settled for them because their pastures are readily available, also they reproduce twice a year. This is an assurance that very soon I will have many of them which will empower me to achieve a lot. Also, I will be in a position to sell some and cater to my essential basic needs. Apart from that, I settled a debt of KES 5000 to a friend and I feel relaxed now. He has always been threatening me for failing to pay back the cash on time. Also with the remaining amount of money, I have been buying food for my family which is composed of three and new clothes for my kids. The initial ones were old and torn and I felt there was a need for a change.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($477 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt very happy.It was 8 Am in the morning and was going on with my charcoal burning activity.I had halt the activity for some time since I was dancing and singing because of happiness and my spouse could only watch with a big smile.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life now is that I am very much relaxed since I paid the debts that I had.Our financially stability has now improved since the motorcycle is also earning us more income hence reducing expenditures.
I also plan to save part of earnings from the motorcycle taxi busines and used to buy goats that can also be reared for sale later hence generating more income.We don't struggle a lot nowadays and I have even reduced on the burning of charcoal business and now takes care of the family something that I loved the most.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer to buy a second hand motorcycle worth 45000 KES for my husband for transport , clothes and shoes worth 5000 KES and foodstuffs worth 1500 KES and paid a debt worth 2500 KES.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I'm living in a house that is not yet finished. It lacks a door, has unfinished walls and I would also like to add an extension for children's room plus cementing both floors and walls. As it is right now I always scared at night when I'm sleeping here with my child. The walls are also just made from earth and this means they can not survive a rainy season without collapsing. When I get this money I would like to first complete my house to be fully safe at night then I'll buy livestock to start raring to be able to store my wealth in that form.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I felt really happy about the short rains that fell in December last year. This marked the end of a two years draught that was full of unfortunate events like domestic animals dying for lack of pasture and people having to walk more that ten kilometres to fetch water if there is. I was really grateful for that even though the dry season has already started again.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My challenge is lack of reliable source of income. My husband is a primary school teacher who earns around 15000 KES monthly. Given that the job is not here in the village, he has to rent and feed himself in town where he works. This Leaves him with very little money to send to me in the village. Therefore I always have to burn and sell charcoal to be able to eek out his income. This work is very physical for a lady and so I just wish I could get a better job with better reward.
