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 ($528 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My living standard has really changed positively in that I own livestock which wasn't on my expected achievement any sooner. The transfers assisted me to purchase some goats and two dairy cows. Today I am optimistic that my family's future and I will be more brighter with the money I would make of selling milk from my cows. Therefore, the sales shall cater for my children's school fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly has really done a great job in assisting the poor in society. The transfers have made a great impact something is evident in almost everyone in my village through acquisition of livestock , new houses and educating children in the village.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent 25, 000 KES of my second transfer to buy a dairy cow and an ox phough. Today, I am able to earn a doubled income from either hiring the ox phough or selling milk to my neighbors therefore , I seize to be the laughing stock in my village who would borrow around. I bought five goats . I also bought two sacks of maize and household expenditures.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to achieve some of my plans that seemed impossible before. First, I have been able to buy a dairy cow and this is like an investment to me. When it reproduces, I will be selling milk to my neighbors and use the money to pay school fees for my siblings. Also, I have been able to buy some building material that I am intending to use in building a kitchen for my family. We had to convert our living room into a kitchen after we destroyed the previous one which was almost collapsing.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am when I received a message notification on my phone. I became so happy and thankful to God when I realized that GiveDirectly had deposited some money in my account. My happiness knew no bounds on that day as I kept going on with my daily activities singing happily.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfers, I bought a dairy cow worth KES 30000. I settled on this so that when it reproduces, we will be getting milk for our consumption and for sale to earn an income. I will be using this money to support my sibling's educations. Also, I bought some timber and 22 pieces of iron sheets. I am intending to use these materials to build a kitchen for my family. I decided on this since we do not have one because we had to destroy our previous one as it was old and in a pathetic condition.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I built my main house one year ago, only one more thing was remaining to make it a complete home -a kitchen and to find a good wife. I am planning to build a Kshs 20,000 (200usd) worth of a fully furnished kitchen using a part of the first transfer. With the remaining amount, my plan is to spend it to fully furnish my main house, for example to put up a ceiling roof and buy some cushions for my chairs. This is going to give my house a whole new make over, decent enough to host my friends and other guests. Furthermore, my wife is going to love it when she arrives.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being the provider for my siblings after parents died, my day is usually packed with a beehive of activities. When they leave for school early in the morning, my work is to look after the livestock and undertake some farm work which includes ploughing for the next maize planting season. Immediately before noon I dash to the kitchen to prepare lunch for my six siblings who'd come home at around twenty minutes to 1:00pm. Late in the afternoon I'd walk over to a nearby shopping center to oversee a small maize vending business that I started with two of my friends about two years ago. It is usually my moment to unwind after a busy day, which makes it the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am the eldest son in a family of 8 children. My parents died about 5 years ago. Whereas my mother succumbed to sickness, my father fell into a river and died of drowning. Unannounced, our lives reeked of darkness and hopelessness. We didn't know where to start. My uncles have family responsibilities to attend to so we were left to fend for ourselves. As the senior most child I had to step up and chart a course for my six siblings. By default, I assumed role of a father figure without a script. I was just seventeen, struggling to fill my parents big shoes. I dropped out of school to find what to do to bring food to the table, and life became a rollercoaster. It still is. It is a selfless calling. Because at most times I think of what's best for my siblings especially education, while under looking my own needs. This has been the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
