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 ($462 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?
At the moment I don't have any new goals. This is because I want to concentrate on the current dairy project. I believe in God's timing and also taking one step at a time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly money has uplifted the lives of my village mates who were vulnerable and needy. We are grateful for the great support that empowered everyone without discrimination. In my opinion, everything was done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The moment I received my transfer, I opted to purchase a dairy cow to reduce the cost of buying milk daily. Therefore I used KES 25,000. I then paid KES 15,000 for school fees for my children. Lastly, I used the remaining amount on farming. I am happy to have accomplished so much in a short time which I would not have accomplished since I am a Boda Boda rider. In addition to that, I also have four children who depend on me. I am so grateful for the opportunity that changed my living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was almost 11 pm night time and I had fallen asleep. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing and this jolted me from my sleep. I wondered what it was all about as I reached out for my phone. I found out that I had a new message and on opening it I was surprised to learn that it was an SMS saying that we had received the promises transfer from GiveDirectly. I was so happy on seeing this. My wife whom I thought had fallen asleep woke up asking me what was going on. I shared with her the good news and she was so happy too since we knew that the transfers were going to change our lives for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer brought a very big difference in my life and that of my family. With having boosted the business with KES 25000, it is now doing well and we are getting more income from it than before. The income from the business is helping me on other important things such as paying a casual labourer to weed the crops on the farm.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We spent the transfer money on various things. We used KES 25000 on boosting our business of buying and selling maize. KES 10000 on paying school fees for our four children who are in primary school and KES 15000 on tilling the land and buying seeds for planting. With the remaining amount of money, we used it in buying clothes for our children and buying food. Paying school fees for our children and tilling the land and planting was our biggest priorities upon receiving the transfers. We had not managed to pay school fees for our children and hence they were on the verge of being sent home due to the arrears. We also wanted to increase the portion of the land that we till since we usually till a small portion due to a lack of enough money. With tilling a bigger portion, we were going to get more produce for sale and for our consumption. The business of buying and selling maize is what we usually depend on to earn income and most of the money that we get from it usually goes to the purchase of food for our family of six and paying school fees for our children. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for your help.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to revive my business life. I used to run a shop but the business went down due to many responsibilities that caught up with me when I got married. With this money, I plan to start a maize business by investing KES 50,000 in it. For the rest of the amount, I will purchase a second-hand motorbike to help me run the business. This will go a long way as I will not be buying maize for consumption in my family as well as earning an income from the business to meet other needs like clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Six months ago I was able to buy my first cow worth KES 30,000. This was after a merry-go-round support group supported me when it was my turn. I'm still happy because it is a sign of hope for a better future. I know in two years, I won't be buying milk anymore and I will be having two cows.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of finances is the biggest challenge. When I got married eight years ago and children came along, family responsibilities overburdened me. The business I used to run went down and I eventually closed it. We now depend on seasonal rains to do vegetable farming as well as doing casual jobs to earn a living. These casual jobs are also seasonal as we depend on rains so that we can get casual planting and wedding jobs from our neighbors.
