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 ($475 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have had many goals set and have also been able to achieve them since entering into this program. One of the key goals I have had is to own some livestock which would be as part of business as also provide for the family. I thought that by buying some goats I would have a place to get money whenever my children needed school fees and I didn't have any money. I would sell them and pay for the school fees. I was able to buy 12 goats each ranging from KES.3200-3500. Another goal was to have my own comfortable house which I was also able to get through these transfers.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I feel that Give directly is doing so well in terms of giving us money to better ourselves and I am grateful for that. What I would like to add is that if Give directly could add more money so that we can have a good future for our families and added financial security would be even better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought it to build a home. continue. I was able to use my most recent transfers on buying the materials for building my home. This has been a lifelong dream of mine to own a comfortable home where my family can be happy. I was able to invest the whole amount of KES.53150 in buying wooden poles and galvanized roofing for my home. I am eternally grateful that I was able to take part in this project and I can stand tall among my peers.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 9 am and I was in my house having breakfast. My wife was in the kitchen going about her daily duties. When I heard the message notification, I stopped eating and checked my phone. To my delight, I saw the message indicating that I had received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and called my wife to let her know the great news. We celebrated and gave thanks to God for the blessing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before receiving this transfer, my family of four lived in an old, broken-down house. The iron sheets were so worn out that I was afraid that they would be blown off by the wind. Even though I worried about my family's safety, I felt powerless because I could not afford to build a new house for us. The money I earn from ferrying passengers on my motorbike is just too little.
This is why I prioritized the construction of a new, spacious and comfortable house when I received the transfer from GiveDirectly. We now have a decent place to call home. I no longer have to worry about the safety of my family and this is such a relief. Thanks, GD!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have dreamt of building a comfortable house for my family for the longest time. This, has, however, not been possible since my income from ferrying passengers on my motorbike can barely sustain us. We had no choice but to live in a broken-down house.
So when I received this transfer, I spent KES 15,800 on materials and labour for the construction of a new house. I also purchased 12 goats worth KES 42,000. This is my investment as I plan to sell them and acquire dairy cows that can supply us with milk for sale, in future.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I was growing up, my father did not have the opportunity to take me to school due to the high school fees charged then. Looking at my home's financial status, I opted to look for any causal job. I was finally employed as a shamba boy. As well, I used to feed dairy cows of my beloved employer. This made me have the urge and ambition to own cows in the future. For a long time, since I started to raise my family, I have tried to find means and ways to buy at least a single cow but all has been in vain. This has been due to my inability to get a life-long sustainable job, considering that I am illiterate. So, receiving this money will mean to fulfill my dream of owning a herd of cows. I will buy 6 cows, at a cost of 15000 Kenya Shilling. Also, I'll be able to construct a byre for my cows to ensure their safety and healthy.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the afternoon, mostly between noon and 2.00 past midday. This is the time I get the rare opportunity to sit down with my wife alone. If I am at work, I call her and request her to prepare a lunch meal. By the time she is almost done, she calls back to alert me, that's when I make my way home. It's at this time that we get along together, free from my children who at that time, they are in school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My father died in 2019 after suffering from cancer. I remember seeing how he endured pain while at Kenyatta hospital, Nairobi. During then, I had just gotten married to my wife. Though jobless, my father used to join hand and financially support my family to earn a descent living. My father was selling milk to hotels and individual homes in Bamba town. Since his demise, life has never been the same again. I struggle so much to earn a living for my children and my family. Infact, we had to split amongst our brothers so as everyone can stand on his own and fend for his own family. Being illiterate, it's not easy to get a sustainable job and thus worsening my inability to raise my children. So, not being able to provide for my children is my biggest problem I have ever faced.
