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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different because I have managed to buy livestock, a heifer, a bull and five goats. I do not have any other assets apart from these. These are to me valuable assets that I can readily rely on in case of a dire financial problem. The transfer has also enabled me to fulfill my family's basic needs such as clothing for my family and food.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in choosing and enrolling the poor households and changing our lives through the money. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of the transfer on buying a bull and a cow that I am currently keeping in my homestead. In addition to this, I also took a portion of the money to hire the services of oxen to plough my farm. I spent the remaining amount to buy daily foodstuffs and clothing for my children. I also spent it on paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($528 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning livestock such as cows and goats is usually everyone's pride. My life has totally improved after I purchased these animals. Since I am a widow this is the biggest asset I can proudly brag about. I am assured my children will no longer be sent home to collect school fees because I can even decide to sell their offsprings in such instances. Secondly, I will be getting milk for free which and I am also planning to start selling the extra liters. The extra money I will acquire will be my additional source of income. I am certain my life will never be the same again.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 pm when I heard the message notification from my phone. I was shocked and happy at the same time when I saw an Mpesa message from Give Directly. I have never handled such money before therefore I was really surprised to see it in my account. I finally found hope of achieving most of my goals through the transfers.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on buying one dairy cow 14000 at KES and five goats at KES 11300. I have always wanted to own this livestock for a long time now by due to the low income I could not afford to buy them. To add on that I am a widow and I am responsible for all my family's basic needs. I am usually left with nothing to save from my little income due to the many responsibilities I need to take care of. Apart from that I also paid KES 24000 for school fees for my son who is in college. I also bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family with the remaining amount of money.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow and a mother for two children whom I still provide for their needs yet I have no reliable source of income. My hope has been in charcoal burning business that has supported my children's education but since trees are no longer available for cutting, I am forced to depend on subsistence farming for food and bursary applications. When I receive my transfers from GiveDirectly, I plan to support my daughter's education by paying her college fee since I have much expectations from her when she graduates as a teacher. I also plan to buy an oxen and ox- plough in order to upscale my farming hence changing my life for the better. This is essentially what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I wake up in the morning, I clean my compound and prepare my breakfast when it is available. Thereafter, I go to work at my farm where I usually spend much of my day's time. I come back home in the evening when I am so exhausted but still it is at this time when I get ample time to rest. Therefore, I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a widow with no reliable source of income yet you are required to provide for your children in school is the most challenging aspect in life. Ever since my son died whom used to be the solely bread winner in our family, I am forced to depend on farming and charcoal burning in order to provide for my family's basic needs. These activities are laborious yet their incomes are usually low, something that has made me desperate. I frequently do bursary applications in order to educate my children and hence, I consider lack of reliable source of income as my biggest hardship.
