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 ($461 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?
Even though I have enough milk after buying a lactating dairy cow with the first transfer, I still feel the need of buying another one that would produce surplus milk that I can sell as a source of income. This will help in building my savings which will, in turn, help in initiating other new projects.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly brought a great change not only to my family but also to all other houses that received the transfers within the village. We got a chance to spend the money not only on what we thought would bring us returns but on all that we felt would transform our lives. A lot of fairness was depicted during enrollment and I congratulate GiveDirectly for sending us a great team that trained us first and gave us a guide on ensuring that our money was always safe from theft. I saw nothing wrong in the whole process and all I am hearing from the villagers are great words about the organization as well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been buying at least a liter of milk every day for my family of three in the past year since I have not been having a cow. I had to spend KES 36000 on buying a lactating dairy cow that I am now rearing in my field. I am happy that my young kid is enjoying the plentiful supply of milk since I don't have to spend it on buying anymore. I also constructed a new house with KES 12000 out of the second transfer after buying some of the materials when I received a month ago after receiving the first transfer. I had a spacious house already for my family of three but needed an extra one that would accommodate a visitor when we have one. I later spent the remaining on buying foodstuff that included a sack of maize and also clothes for my wife and child who were very excited to have new pairs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was about 11.20 pm when I heard my phone vibrate. Upon checking, it is a message from Give directly bearing some great news. I was so excited to receive such just before going to bed I could not wait for the next day to go and withdraw the cash transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is achieving all the goals I had planned to spend on my first transfer. I look forward to using my second transfer in doing bigger projects.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving my first cash transfer meant a modern house for all my family members. We had been living in a one-roomed grass-thatched house with all my children. I am so happy that we can all sleep in a warm room after spending Kshs.39,000 in building a modern house. I also bought a bull-worthy Kshs.17,000 which is added to my existing livestock. I can also sell whenever I have an urgent need.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent house for my family of 3. We currently live in a single-roomed grass-thatched house that serves as the kitchen, living room as well as bedroom. The soot emanating from the fireplace destroys our clothes and at times the smell is unbearable as I step out to fend for my family. I have always wished to own a more spacious iron-roofed house and leave this current house as a kitchen but finances could not allow me to. As a chef employed in a hotel in Siongiroi, I earn KES 200 on days when the business is at its peak .This caters for food for the household and I am left with nothing to save. Thus with Givedirectly, my dream of owning a beautiful house will come true for I intend to use KES 50000 towards this course.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month, on my days off, I secured a side hustle at a construction firm in Siongirio that earned KES 3000 at the end of the week. I used this to purchase basic needs such as clothing and food for my household. This brought me joy for I could see my family live comfortably and happy thereafter.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being in the hotel business, profit is solely dependant on the availability of customers that impacts directly on the payment of the workers. As a chef, I at times come home with almost KES 100 days when the business is low. This cannot purchase enough food to sustain the family the entire day and I am forced to give up the food for my breastfeeding wife and the 2year old son as I go to bed hungry. Therefore the provision of sufficient food for my family of 3 is a challenge I am currently facing.
