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
55000 KES ($510 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?
We enjoy a higher style of living after receiving the transfer. The money enabled us have a bigger house with more rooms than the one we had before. Initially, we had a single-roomed house but we have built a new one with two additional rooms. Thus, we have some private rooms unlike before. Besides, my son enjoyed ample study time, something that could attract better performance. I wish God blesses GiveDirectly to continue improving more lives.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by allowing us the freedom to use the funds in whichever way we might find fit. This acts as the best way of empowering us to address the poverty issue. I find nothing that the firm is not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I utilized 300 USD of my second transfer on completing the new building that we had built with our first transfer. I thought that it would be wise to complete the new house to ensure it does not stall since we have no other reliable source of income for handling such an activity. Also, I used 150 USD as University fees for my son who's has just completed his A-level studies. This would ensure that he has ample study time by not being asked to pay the otherwise pending amount. Further, we bought some poultry (5 birds) worth 25 USD as an investment to be used in the future. Finally, we bought clothes with the remaining amount so that each of my family members gets some extra clothing and have some more decent apparel.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was lighting fire in the kitchen to prepare breakfast and I heard a message beep. I stooped what I was doing to go check the message then I heard my sister-in-law shouting with happiness. On checking my message, it was the GiveDirectly transfer and I joined her in celebration before embarking on breakfast preparation.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I will be able to have a bigger house of about 3 rooms unlike now when now when it is one roomed. We have been unable to afford to build a bigger one since every penny we got went to our children's school fees. The chicken I bought are all layers and any time we lack anything, I sell the eggs and we can buy sugar or the little things we use at home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had ploughed land and when I received the transfer, I used it to buy maize seeds which I have now planted and have sprouted. I bought 5 chicken, a sack of maize and clothes for my children. I am also planning to build a bigger house since the one I live in is smaller.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a parent who wants the best for my family and especially my children. I have this desire to see them complete school up to university level. My first born son dropped his university education due my inability to raise his school fees. I also have 3 more children in their secondary level and raising their fees is an uphill task. This is something that is continually giving me stress. Getting this transfer will be a sigh of relief to me because it will mean I will shift my minds to think about other things.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Day time is the best part of my day. This is so because it is the time I get to do so many calls to check on my sick husband who lives in Kitale. At least this is the time I get assurance that he is okay and doing fine. At night I get to worry a lot that something bad might happen to him.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband has been sick since the year 2010. He has been on and off various hospitals and this has drained us financially. We have sold all the cows to cater for his medical bills. Even now he cannot do most of the things on his own since the disease paralysed one side of his body. What is left for us to do is to watch him suffer because there is nothing much we can do.
