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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is so different from how it would have been becasue through the transfers I managed to clear school fees for my daughter and paid in advance so that she can study without any distractions like before. Also, the money empowered me to finish constructing my house which I had initially started but I had to stop becasue I did not have extra cash to facilitate that. I am happy I am even comfortably sheltering under it together with my children. To add to this, I have goats which serve as the living assets that I will always depend on in case of any financial difficulties.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in that the money was unconditional and nonrefundable. This means that I was given all the freedom in purchasing all the items I had desired to provide it was a genuine one. Through that, I managed to plan so well and I utilized the money appropriately since I have already got the returns.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent about of my second transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, nails, and timber. This was for the completion of my house which I had started constructing but due to insufficient funds, I had to stop. The previous one was in critical condition and very small. I also cleared school fees backnce for my daughter who recently joined secondary school. To add to that I bought living assets such as goats. With the remibga most of the money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and a decent house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message early in the morning. I reached for my phone and to my surprise, I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy and relaxed since I could now finish my project of building a permanent house that had stalled for months due to lack of funds.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I had begun a project of building a permanent house. Due to lack of funds, I could not continue with its construction. Through the transfer, I purchased the remaining materials which includes coral blocks at KES 40000. I am happy that my dream of upgrading to a permanent house will soon be fulfilled, which makes it to be the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40000 of my first transfer to buy coral blocks in order to finish building my permanent house. I had begun this project but it came to a standstill because I lacked the financial resources to buy more materials. I am now in the process of completing this project after receiving this transfer. I am planning to spend the remaining amount to buy some goats to keep in my homestead. To me these are valuable assets that I can readily depend on to meet future financial needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me pay secondary school fees for my daughter. I will commit 200 USD to paying the fees. I will then build a two bed room house at a cost of 400 USD. My current house is small and not in a good condition. Finally I will buy 5 goats at a cost of 30 USD.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I love my evenings when my children are back from school. We get to share dinner together. They are a good company. Unlike during the day when I am all alone. I get bored a lot. I spend the early morning hours in my farm. When the sun gets hotter,I just relax alone under the shade in my compound.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been through a lot since I lost my husband 10 years ago. He was the bread winner and before it dawned on me that all the burden was on me,I was already suffering. I wore torn clothes,my children almost dropped out of school. I had two children in secondary school at that time.They were in and out of school due to fees arrears. I have done all kinds of odd casual jobs to make ends meet. I hawked food,sold charcoal, cultivated people's farms and any job available to ensure that my children do not sleep hungry.It has not been an easy 10 years.
