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 ($441 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I do not have any new goals at the moment. I want to first complete building my house before focusing on anything else.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly changes lives. I had no place to call home,I thank Give Directly for enabling me build my own house. Thank you so much for this kind opportunity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My number one priority was to complete building my house after receiving the transfers. I used part of the transfers to buy iron roofing sheets and a door and was also able to build a toilet. With the rest of the transfers,I bought goats which I will rear and sell for a profit. Finally,I bought a bed and a mattress and spent the remaining balance on food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7 am when I left home for the water point to fetch some water. Since it was in the morning, I had left my phone at home. When I returned my daughter welcome me happy with the good news of the GiveDirectly transfer. She heard a message tone from my phone and since she is the one who usually reads messages for me she hurriedly confirmed only to bump on a KES 55000.00 figure. I was so happy to an extent of canceling a trip that I had planned earlier and that was the very day for it. This happiness was a result of how life had been on my side having in mind that, from the night to the morning of the transfer I had slept hungry due to lack of food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, my life was not pleasing. Getting some food for my family was a big struggle. I used to run up and down to make ends meet but sometimes things did not work out. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for the transfer they sent me. Through the transfer, my family has enough food and they are now doing well not as before when they were skinny because of hunger.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I did before moving to the planned structure on how to use the money, I bought a bale of maize flour to ensure that there is food at home. Thereafter, I bought iron sheets and other building materials for KES 20000.00 intending to build a new house and make the old one a kitchen. I also paid KES 2000.00 school fees for my primary school child so that he could not be sent home for the same as the other days. I also bought 2 goats for KES 8000.00 to start raring some livestock at home. Since it was a drought season, I kept the remaining amount for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Life as a single mother of six children has not been easy. They all depend on me with no source of income. I had a fee balance of 5000 KES, which I did not know how to raise. My primary school daughter has been sent home several times. She was a bright student, but because she is rarely in school her performance has dropped. Sometimes she does casual jobs to raise her school fees. I see myself as a failure considering that this should be my responsibility.I will clear the fee balance and the whole year.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Celebrating and eating with family was my biggest joy. It had been a while since we gathered for such events. In September last year, we had a get together where we enjoyed sharing meals and spending time with our loved ones.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am Asthmatic but of late it has become chronic. I can not do any chores which I enjoyed doing. Whenever I try to push myself to do some little chores, I cough a lot at night with chest pains. I was given some painkillers in a certain clinic last week which I am now taking but I am planning to go to the hospital in February hoping that I will get better medication.
