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 ($454 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?
I had planned on building a better and more spacious house. This is because I lived in a small grass thatched house. I depend on casual jobs and the money that I would get was so small and I was not in a position to purchase the building materials. I am so grateful for the support.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better house and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 45,000 on building a better and more spacious house. I lived in a small grass thatched house. Whenever I have visitors and friends there was no space to host them. This was so demoralizing and stressful. I had always wished to own a better house but I did not have the money to purchase the building materials. Currently, I have a decent and spacious house. I am so grateful for the support. The remaining amount of money I spent on household items and food. GiveDirectly has improved our standard of living.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was still at work and I was in our nearest town when I received a Mpesa message. I still remember that it was a few minutes to 7 pm and I became so happy on seeing this as I knew that I would finally achieve my goal of owning a dairy cow.
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 now have live assets that I can rely on in case of an emergency. Also, I will be earning money through the sale of surplus when they reproduce and apart from this, I will be able to save KES 1000 monthly that I usually spend on milk. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to achieve all this as I would not have been able to achieve them on my own had I not received the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was employed to offer taxi services using a motorcycle belonging to one of my neighbors and I earn KES 300 daily. I usually spend all this to provide basic needs for my family of three and the purchase of milk and maize flour usually takes a huge junk of this money. With the transfer, I purchased two heifers at KES 45000 and used the remaining amount on food and other household necessities. These are an investment to me that I can rely on in case of emergencies and in paying school fees for my children. In addition, I will be able to save the money that I would other use in buying milk when it calves.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I operate a motorcycle taxi business within my locality. I love this job since it has helped me see my family through. I earn approximately KES 300 a day. Currently, we have flooded this business thus we hardly get clients. I have a piece of land that is underutilization since I do not have money power. To me, receiving this money is a start-up in life. I am planning to spend KES 45000 to invest in livestock. I wish to buy a cow, two goats, and chickens. I am sure this will be my source of income shortly. My daily household needs will be easily met since I will have milk and eggs from my farm. I will cut my daily expenditures hence have some money to save for my future endeavors.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a youth with a young family. I am open to any kind of work that can earn me an income to meet my needs. I joined a motorcycle taxi business after I dropped out of school to make ends meet. Though the business is currently flooded, in the last six months, I attribute my happiness to this sector. I met my family and personal needs through this. It would not have been easy for me if it was not for this.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is my biggest challenge currently. I got married two years ago immediately I dropped out of school. I had not stabilized any source of income then. I immediately picked family responsibilities which require a lot of money. Though, I actively engage in casual jobs and farming my wages go directly to various daily needs. This makes me live a hand-to-mouth life. I do not have a hope of getting any stable source of income.
