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
55000 KES ($483 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?
Yes. I have an additional goal that I did not have before receiving this transfer which is to start up another business. Goats are in high demand in our area and those who are in this business are making a good profit from it. I am, therefore, planning to purchase from farmers and sell in the market at a slightly higher price.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly is doing great by conducting follow up to confirm if the money reached the intended person and also to find out the various ways people spent their money. This is a good show of concern, and we get encouraged to spend our money well. On the other hand, I would urge them to not only conduct follow-ups, but they need to pay people a visit so that they confirm if the reports people provide on spending are true.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 35000 to purchase 10 goats for rearing. They give birth twice a year making them be more beneficial. In the future whenever in urgent need of cash I can sell them to raise some money. I also did not have any bedding. Instead, I used to sleep on the ground because the income I earned from the casual work could not afford new bedding. I, therefore, bought a bed, mattress, and a blanket at a cost of KES 15000. Finally, I can afford a comfortable and peaceful night. A portion of the money I spent on foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember very well, It was one of those days that I woke up early in the morning when I saw a message notification from my cell phone. Being illiterate, I had to ask for a hand in help from my son to read its content. I was amazed when he told me that I had finally received my first transfer. I knew that I would achieve a lot through the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving financial help from GiveDirectly is that I am now independent. I managed to buy a few goats using the transfers which I trust was the best choice of all the assets one could think of. My decision to go for goats is that I am assured of achieving a lot from them within a short period of time. This is because their offspring mostly reproduce twice a year. Since my children still schooling, I will not struggle with paying their school fees, because I plan to sell the offspring to ensure they study well without being sent home frequently due to fee arrears like before. For all those years, I have solely been depending on the casual jobs with a low income of KES 150 per day, with the six family members it wasn't enough at all. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly because I am now in a position to sort any emergency that may arise.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first cash transfers on buying six goats worthy of KES 16800. I settled in rearing them because the climatic condition in our village is ideal for their growth. I also bought a decent bed and a mattress at KES 9000. Initially, I used to sleep some on old mats which were very uncomfortable and I could always experience some backpains. In addition, I bought an ox plough at KES 10200 that will facilitate my family activities and I am now happy I will no longer be hiring those of my friends. To add to that, I cleared school fees for my two children at a total of KES 8000 so that they could study without any disturbances like before. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it in buying foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was my married by my late husband in the year 1989. I happened to be the last wife to my polygamous husband, considering that we were 7 co-wives. During that time, my husband owned a very large herd of cattle. This gives our big family a respectable name in the village. However, in 1997 my husband's sickness began. He suffered heart problems. He was admitted in Coast General hospital, and due to the huge medical bills, it forced us to sell almost all the livestock in bid to save his life. Unfortunately, my husband kicked the bucket. Since his demise, things have never been the same because of the high dependency ratio in the family. To survive, we shared the remaining few cows and due to high cost of living, I was obligated to sell all my share of the number of cows. Ever since, as a family, we have lost the long earned dignity in the village. We are now the laughing stock in the village because we no longer own livestock. This brings shame to me and that's why receiving this money will mean to reinstate my position as a family to own livestock.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening. I usually call my son in the evening who stays in Mombasa. His well being means a lot to me. It's also in the evening that I put all my children in prayers.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was married to a polygamous husband, and I happened to be the last wife, the seventh wife to my lovely husband. Being illiterate, I was married when I was still under age. When my husband died, I was left with very young children whom I was obligated to care. I had no job to source funds for my children. My husband's wealth was no more for we used all the resources he had to pay his huge medical bills in hospital. I was then obligated to even borough food from my siblings back home. The sudden burden to fend for my children stressed me a lot. I was forced to drop my children out of school. This really impacted their lives and that struggle has been the biggest hardship ever faced in my life.
