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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if had never received my transfer. In that I am living a better life, after constructing a spacious and better shelter for the family. Currently, the kids are spending their nights in a separate shelter with proper beddings after constructing a house for them. In addition, I have restored my happiness after clearing the school fees for my children they are learning without being sent home due to school fees. Furthermore,I was able to purchase good chairs, I no longer sit on logs like before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In your opinion, GiveDirectly did well for giving out cash transfer instead of property. The cash has transformed our life for the better since we had the opportunity to make decisions on how to utilize them. I don't see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $270 of the transfer to improve the condition of my house by constructing additional one room. This is because my previous house was very small to accommodate both me and my commodities. I was very ashamed whenever I receive guest because I had to seek for them shelter from my neighbors. In addition, I spend $200 to pay for fees for my child who is in secondary school. At moment, my child is learning without being disrupted due to lack of school fees. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing sufficient food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 am, had started ploughing my farm when I heard my phone ringing continuously. I decided to stop whatever I was doing and focused on the phone. On checking, I found that GiveDirecty had finally debited my first transfer into my account. I was very happy to have received the promised cash transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that Inmanged to construct a new house for my children. I have really been longing to construct one for so many years but I could not afford since I did not have the required money to buy the materials. Therefore we used to share the same house which had a single room. According to my culture its not right to share a room which your young one's bit then I had no alternative. It was so embarrassing. But then the coming of GiveDurectly has changed everything. I am comfortable and happy with my family since I now own another hour for my children and at leasst, there is privacy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfers on buying some building materials such as building poles, iron sheets, nails, and timber. This was for the construction of a new house for my children whom we used to share the same small house. I also bought some beddings which include beds and mattresses to replace the old mats that we have been using for all that long. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have 10 children and my house has only two rooms. Recently I have been forced to build a make shift house whose roof is made of polythene bags to house the older children. When I receive this money I will be glad to build a house with two rooms which will cost me around 300 USD. As schools reopen,school fees will be needed and therefore part of the money will go into the fees together with school uniform. I will also buy food for my children which is a big problem at this time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the morning hours doing the household chores then head to my farm where I work till around noon. After having lunch, I relax under the shade as we chat as a family. This is the happiest part of my day since I am usually done with most of the day's activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is asthmatic and he is the one we depend on to feed the family. His condition sometimes worsens and given the nature of his job ie farming and casual jobs, he struggles a lot. In 2016 for example he fell very ill and for two years he was in a bad condition. My first two children had to drop out of school because we could not pay their school fees. We used the little we had to pay his medical bill. He is in continuous medication and this has been very costly. One tablet costs 0.1 USD and sometimes he takes up to 3 in a day depending on his condition.I have 10 children and satisfying all their needs has been a big challenge for me.
