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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently than how it would have been because through the transfers I managed to construct a spacious permanent house. This has been my everyday dream to at least sleep in a better shelter but I did not have enough cash to fund the project. I have always been seeking shelter in other peoples house and feels so embarrassing at times because this could reoccur every season. At times I opted to stay in my house which I would be rained on till it stops. It was one of the worse experiences in our lives and I never wish anyone to go through the same. However, after constructing the new house, there is a big relief now because I no longer worry about the rains and even my security together with my family
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDiretcly has been doing good to the whole of my village in numerous ways. One, the money was directly sent to our Mpesa account without delay and we all received the same amount of cash. This enabled most of us to plan on the money and achieve most of our dreams. Also, in my opinion, I do not see any sector GiveDirectloy failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, building poles, threads, timber, and a wooden door. This was for the completion of the construction of a new permanent house. This is because the previous one was a temporary small hut and with weak walls and holes all over. I also paid the mason KES 6000 as his labor fee. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuff for my family that could take us to the next harvesting season.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around seven in the morning when I heard my phone ringing, On checking I realized that I had recieved my first transfer from GiveDirectly.I couldn't contain my joy after receiving the good news since I knew I would achieve a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a spacious permenent house is the biggest difference in my daily life. I have been longing to build a better and more spacious house but due to my financial status, I could not afford it. My previous was small and in pathetic condition. Some of my properties had to stay in the open which was very insecure and very embarrassing at the same time. I am now glad that we now stay comfortable and my children have ample space and time to study since previously, they could even seek for a place to sleep at my relatives' houses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first trasfer on buying some building materials such as some bricks, sand and cement. This was for the construction of a new permenent house which I had really been longing to have. I later I paid the masson KES 15000 in regards to the task. Also with the remaing amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and some decent clothes.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will be debt-free, whereby I will able to pay the debt of 50,000 shillings for my son's training which I was not able to pay and forced him to stop his electrical training. In addition, I will use 20,000 shillings to but a bed and mattress which I have been dreamed for a long . The remaining amount will be used to buy food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a businesswoman, the kind of business I am doing forced me to move around selling because I do not have a specific location. I usually walk in the sunshine. Sometimes I end up selling nothing and it discourages me also becomes tiresome, Evening becomes the happiest part of my day because this is the time I feel relaxed and interacting with family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am doing a small business of selling small commodities such as soaps, salts, razor blades, biscuits, and sweats. My husband is also working as a charcoal vendor. These kinds of businesses give us an income of 6000 shillings per month which is not enough to pay for our son's school fees as well as buying a bed and mattress. Therefore the Financial crisis becomes the biggest hardship in my life.
