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 ($497 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?
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I completed to pay school fees for my daughter who in a tailoring college and she graduated well. Thereafter I bought her a sewing machine and constructed a single-room house for her to start her tailoring business at the shopping center so that she can establish herself. Initially I used to pay the school fees as well as sustain my family’s basic needs from selling charcoal which was a mega challenge and I doubt if my daughter would have been able to graduate if it were not for GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has made me a proud and a happy mother knowing that I managed to provide and fulfill my daughter's dream, we are grateful for what the organization did for us. It is a nice organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my 2nd transfer from Give Directly, I paid school fees for my daughter who was completing her course and she managed to graduate. I also constructed a family house and managed to buy a plot and constructed a single-room house for my daughter to start her tailoring business near the shopping centre. I also bought two goats since the pride of a household is livestock. I kept the rest for some clothing and also for food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($511 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being a charcoal vendor, I always wake up in the morning to go to the forest to prepare charcoal for sell. I had just arrived from my work when I received my transfer. I felt very happy for receiving my transfer.
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 will be able to restore my happiness that I had lost due to the condition of my house after completing the construction.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $400 my transfer to purchase 22 iron sheets, building poles, timber and nails for the construction of decent shelter. This is because my house was old and had started leaking, My plan was to build a new house sometimes back but I lacked the financial capability to purchase the materials. In addition, I saved some amount enough to pay labour cost . With the remaining amount I bought food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having a separate house is what I have desired for a long time since as a polygamous family, I share a house with my co-wife and this does not give me the privacy I deserve. With the transfer from GiveDirectly, I plan to use a better portion ($400) of my first transfer to construct a 2 roomed iron-roofed house for myself. This will guarantee me the happiness of living in a separate house and also giving me the opportunity of welcoming my visitors whom I have canceled their appointments. On the other hand, I also plan to spend the second transfer to buy 3 cows (1 bull plus 2 indigenous dairy cows). These will help me to have a source of income when they breed since I will be selling the milk to my neighbors. Hence, a transformed life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being a charcoal burner, I usually spend the better part of my morning and afternoon hours at the bush. My only time that I get to rest is normally in the evening especially when I am back at home. I usually get ample time to relax and hence, evening becomes the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Charcoal burning is generally what I have been doing as my source of income to cater to my family's basic needs. Considering my age, doing this job is so difficult but I am forced to do it because it is the only option. The income from this job is very low since preparing 10 sacks of charcoal takes me 1 month and each sack goes at $5. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income becomes the biggest hardship that I have faced in my life.
