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 ($468 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to start a shop business in the village. This is because most of the villagers had to walk for a long distance to get a variety of household items. In addition, I intend to start irrigation farming at the nearby dam to plant spinach and kales for sale.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for selecting our village as part of the villages to participate in the village. Furthermore, they included every household that was willing to participate into the program. I have not seen anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 8,000 of my second transfer to take my child for proper medical care since he had been suffering from chronic wounds all over his body. At the moment he is recovering well from the disease something that makes me happy. I also used KES 5000 to clear the fee arrears for my 2 children who are in primary school. Furthermore, I used KES 30,000 of the transfer to complete the construction of a two-roomed house for my family. Previously, my house had an open-roofed after it collapsed. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As I was waiting for my breakfast for that I leave for my daily hustles so that I could get something to fend my young family, I received a message in my phone. I took it out from the pocket to see what the message was all about. To my surprise I saw KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly, something I had totally forgotten about. I felt so happy receiving this huge amount of money and its impact was very positive. I got energized and left for the daily hustles very strong.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
If it were not for the GiveDirectly Transfer, maybe I would be having so many debts to pay by now because the only option I had was to lend some money from neighbors and friends. This act by GiveDirectly has made a greater mark in both my life and my wife’s life too. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for coming in my life at the very time of need when I was desperate.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
By the time I received the money, my wife was very sick. This transfer did me good and I took her to hospital where I spent around KES 20000.00 for her medication. Thereafter I took KES 16000.00 and paid her dowry balance so that I am at peace with my in-laws. KES 8000.00 out of the remaining amount, I bought some households items and kept the rest for food and water.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent house for my family. This is because I am living in a one-bedroom house whose roof is old and is leaking during the rainy season. I am planning to spend 50,000 KES to build a two-roomed house which is acceptable. I will also use 30,000 of the second transfer to start a shop which will contribute to my family income. The remaining amount will help me cater to other basic needs such as food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. This is because I give thanks to God for enabling me to see the day. This makes me energized and starts my day with a smile on my face. Unlike in the afternoon and evening when I am busy doing my casual jobs which is energy-draining and feel exhausted in the evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is a lack of money. This is because I am depending on casual jobs (construction) which are hard to find and pay a little 500 KES per day. This income is not enough for a family of six-member. Due to this, I have been struggling to meet my daily needs, consequently becoming difficult to save enough money to build a satisfactory house.
