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
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently I do not have any goal that I can single out to do once I get some money. I usually plan for what to do after getting the money or when I am sure that there is a certain amount of money that I am waiting for. This is because I do not like planning in vein. If I plan in vein it will give me a lot of stress thus I do not plan to avoid these kinds of stress.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am very grateful for this organization and for what it did to me. Sincerely if it were not for GiveDirectly, I would not have managed to build the rental house and I would not be having an income generating source. GiveDirectly is has no fault at all and I would recommend other organization to emulate it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I decided to build a rental house which will serve a long-term source of income. In respect to that I used KES 40000.00 in the construction and lucky enough the house is now occupied by some tenants thus I am expecting some income monthly. I also paid KES 3900.00 school fees for my 3 primary school children and the remaining amount went for family food and water.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 AM when I was with my family after taking our breakfast and just having a good time together. Later on, my phone started ringing and this was an indication of a new message. I was so much excited when I realized it was an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. I still remember sharing the good news with them with so much joy on my face. I was certain that I would achieve most of my goals through the support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the financial support has enabled me to contract a new permanent rental house. I have been longing to have one but I could not afford it due to my poor financial status. Since my spouse is jobless I believe this is going to be a lucrative business because I will be receiving some money every month from my tenants and this will be a source of income for me. I will be able to pay schools fees for my two children without any struggles like before. In addition, I will cater to all the family's basic needs like daily food and clothing. Lastly, from the rent will be getting on a monthly basis, I will use it as capital to even start another business like a kiosk which I believe will also uplift my living standard from the profits. I am so happy and thankful for transforming my life positively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying several buying materials which include bricks 22000, ten bags of cement at KES 6000, gravel and sand at KES 10000. I had to purchase all these with an aim of constructing a new permanent rental house in the nearby town centre. Also, I gave the mason KES 5000 as his labour costs. In addition to that, I also paid school fees for my two children who are both in primary schools and I am happy they are no longer being sent home severally like before. I finally bought a few household items like food, utensils and some clothes with the remaining amount of money.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means food security for me. I have two acres of land, together with my husband,we only do farming on a half an acre due to the less manpower. Under the half an acre, we only get 90 kilograms of maize. The 90 kilograms of maize run our family of 3 children for about 5 months. Once I receive the first transfer, I plan to buy two bulls at a cost of 34,000 Kenyan shillings and an ox drawn plough at a cost of 10,000 Kenyan shillings. I will use the cows to plough my 2 acres of land. This will ensure more produce that will run us a longer period compared to the five months. I will then use the second transfer to renovate my house. During the rainy season, my house leaks. I will buy new iron sheets to replace the old ones.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. After a busy morning doing some house chores and going to the farm, it is in the afternoon that I get ample time to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest challenge I have ever faced. I have a four year old son who cannot walk due to heart related complications. He was to undergo a heart correctional surgery, but due to lack of money which is brought by unemployment, my son never got the hospital services. Up to date, my son is unable to walk.
