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 ($438 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My dream would be to shift from selling clothes to opening a maize milling shop. This is because we live next to the road and we have an electricity connection. My husband and I intend to work extra hard in our businesses to raise the capital to initiate the project.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly was the greatest gift in our lives. Knowing very well that the money was non-refundable and unconditionally gave us happiness and satisfaction. It elevated our community from extreme poverty, thus we are grateful. I have not witnessed any inefficiencies in how the organization does its work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband does casual jobs to earn a living and I am a small businesswoman who sells second-hand clothes. Together we are blessed with three children. I had started building a house with my initial transfer, though it was left incomplete due to financial constraints. The moment I received my second transfer, I prioritised putting tiles on the floor of my house where I used $250 to realise it. Secondly, I bought a sack of maize worth $100. Lastly, I bought clothes and then saved the remaining amount for our daily usage. Accomplishing so much in a short period has made me the happiest being because I could not afford them due to financial constraints. I am so happy and grateful for the support that uplifted our lives greatly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7.30an when I realized I had received a message from Givedirectly confirming a receipt of my first transfer. It was so far exciting to receive the good news and we all celebrated in my household.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the change I have seen in my household so far. I look forward to doing more with the second transfer with some pending projects which I had initiated.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving my first transfer I spent KES 10,000 which I used I. improve my existing house. I am happy with the progress and cannot wait to witness more. With KES 6,000 I spent on building a chicken coop and also spent KES 4,000 I brought a new coop. I spent KES 15,000 I spent in the purchase of a heifer which is an addition to my livestock. I look forward to when it can provide us with milk. With the remaining amount, I saved so that I can spend part of my second transfer on purchasing materials for the ceiling.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a start of poultry farming. I am a business lady selling second-hand clothes in the market. My work is so demanding in terms of travel time and money. Having an alternative source of income will help me broaden this business and get direct orders of stock from the suppliers.I will be able to do this through starting up poultry farming with 30 hens at an approximate cost of KES 350 each.I prefer this because chicken rearing requires little space, less time when you have proper housing and adequate feeds.With this business I foresee incomes of KES 450 daily from the sale of eggs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The completion of the new house has brought happiness to my life. We started cutting timber in the year 2010 but due to financial limitations, the construction of the house has been done in bits and sometimes left for a whole year.Its completion in the past 3 months has therefore brought joy in my life because I can finally rest in a good shelter and also engage in other activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints are the biggest challenge we are currently facing. Selling second-hand clothes is quite a challenge especially during this tough economic times.There are days I get KES 150 a day after shouting and experiencing heat from the sun.This demoralizes me but because I do not have any alternative source of income I have to endure this in order to bring food for my three children.The effects of covid also rendered my husband jobless and hence we struggle together to get the little we can in for a day.
