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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After spending first and second transfer on building a house, I am currently looking into new projects which are income generating.With the piece of land I recently bought,I am going to plant vegetables so that I can be selling to generate income hence catering for some house bills without a struggle.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly has brought good news to every household in our village. We are so grateful to God and Give Directly for changing our helpless situations which we have been through for a long period. Give directly has at least uplifted us from buying sheep, construction of new iron-roofed houses, buying dairy cows, purchasing tanks for storage of water, and many others. Give directly made us realize our dreams.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a single mother, I have been struggling a lot with some family responsibilities. The transfer from Give Directly has been of great help because I prioritize purchasing a small piece of land worth Ksh. 30,000 to add to what we had. This at least made us have a spacious land to participate in farming activities. I also bought furniture, initially, I had constructed a house but due to financial constraints, I failed to buy furniture so I went ahead a bought two seats worth Kshs.5,000. I also planned on buying sheep worth Kshs.10,000 this could help me in the future to at least sell them and pay school fees for my children. For the rest of the amount, I bought foodstuffs and clothes for my household members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember vividly like yesterday that it was around 9:26am when I heard a ringtone message from my phone. I was doing my daily morning chores. I reluctantly check it thinking it was just a usually messages from friends. I could not believe my eyes. It was message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and overwhelmed. I stopped what I was doing first to celebrate. I inform my family members and they were so happy. I knew I would be able to buy building materials to build a better house. I planned on withdrawing the money the same day. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have build a better and spacious house. We used to live in a small house which could not host all the family comfortably. Whenever I had visitors it was so stressful and very demoralizing. I could host them outside or borrow a neighbor's house. I depend on small scale farming and casual jobs in the village. Whenever I go for casual jobs I earn KES 300. Due to recurrent needs at home I would spent all the money. I had do savings to build a house. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I found it wise to build a better house. Currently I have a spacious house and this has boosted my self-esteem. I no longer fear to welcome visitors to my house. My children have enough space to sleep and do their homework. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard. It has enabled us to own assets which could have taken quite some time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 of the first transfer to build a better and spacious house for my family. We used to live in a small house which could not host all the family comfortably. Whenever I had visitors I could host them outside and this was so demoralizing. I bought a goat at KES 3,500. This is my investment and it really helps whenever there is an emergency. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard to be much better. House better.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We have been purchasing milk from a neighbor, just a cup to prepare tea. Hardly do we afford more so most of the time we purchase the little to prepare tea in the morning . Thinking of owning a dairy cow is a shifting thought,we have always wanted to buy a cow but because of lack of money we have not manage.Therefore, receiving the money will enable us to purchase a dairy cow of USD 300. The surplus milk will be sold to enable us cater for the daily household expenditure. The other money will go towards expansion of an iron roofed house since the one we use now is too small to accommodate more people. It will cost us approximately USD 400 and the other money will go towards purchasing of indigineous goat since they do well in our area.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest is early in the morning.It gives me hope and renewed energy to fend for my family,this is so because I have alot of time at my disposal to do so.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Most of the time we are faced with famine . We depend on maize for subsistence purpose but for sometime now they do not do well because of the maize lethal necrosis disease . Each day is a struggle to put food on the table ,the little money we get from casual jobs goes towards purchasing of 2 Kilograms of maize that we need to cater for the day . It is against this background that we are hardly left with some money for other expenses. Life has really beaten us ,we are always struggling.
