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 ($463 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I had planned on purchasing building materials and building a better and more spacious house. This is because I used to live in a small grass-thatched house that could not host all my family members comfortably. Building a better house was one of the main priorities when I received the second transfer. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly had enabled me to fulfill my dream.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The training was perfectly done and most of the people who received the transfer spent it well. Some build better houses while others purchase dairy cows and pay school fees for their children. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all the second transfer on purchasing building materials. This includes iron sheets, nails, ceiling boards and paid some amount for workers who constructed the house. This was my priority because I have always wished to own a better and more spacious house. I lived in a small grass-thatched house that could not host all my family members comfortably. Whenever I had visitors it was so demoralizing because I had nowhere to host them. The house had some dusty floors and we were being exposed to dusty particles. I did not have any source of income. I am a small-scale farmer, I do plant maize and vegetable but this is only for consumption. Currently, I have a decent and spacious house. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has enabled me to own the house of my dream. Whenever I have visitors I no longer stress up because I have room to host them. I am so grateful because I no longer get exposed to dusty particles. GiveDirectly has changed our living standards to be much better than before.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8pm while preparing to sleep when I heard an SMS alert on my phone. On checking, it was KES55000 from GiveDirectly. I was very excited and knew that my dream of building a modern house had come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the ability to purchase house construction materials which I couldn't afford before and used to live in a tiny grass thatched house. I am also grateful because I have a heifer which I couldn't afford before and was forced to buy milk from the neighborhood.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES30000 on house construction materials with a plan building a more spacious modern house one I get the second transfers. This is because currently I live in a tiny grass thatched house which is too small to accommodate my grown up kids.I also spent KES18000 on a heifer which will be a source of income once it gives birth. I also spent KES 3200 on a sack of maize and the rest on school fees.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved shelter and food security. I have one small house but it cannot accommodate a big number of people especially when I have visitors. My house is grass thatched, So when I get this money I will build an iron-roofed house which is more spacious. This house will cost around KES 30000. I will also buy 2 sags of maize and rice. Our area is prone to drought and crops wither easily due to insufficient rainfall. We used to depend on maize as stable food and also if in surplus we sell to generate income. This has since changed and no longer yields well.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My life has been full of challenges, especially with food security. I have a daughter who is married and sometimes she sends me money to purchase food. This has brought joy and happiness since when I am worried about going to bed hungry she helps me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is food insecurity and financial constraints. With the prolonged drought I am forced to buy almost all the food staff and with lack of money it has been a challenge.Sometimes we are forced to eat once a day. I depend on my one cow for milk who produces 3 litres of milk per day. I sale two litres of it at KES 30 per litre but the money I get is not sufficient to meet all my needs.
