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 ($437 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?
Right now, I have a new goal of building a kitchen house that will see me start a poultry keeping project. I already bought the building materials using the first transfer and I have set aside some money for the people who will be helping me put up the structure. Once the structure is completed, I will then start buying chicken for keeping in bits. With this poultry keeping project, I will be able to give a helping hand to my husband who makes money through a small business that he runs here at home. Getting money from this project will also make me self reliant and avoid instances where I have to depend on my husband for all the needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does very well by enrolling everyone in the village without any form of biasness. Giving cash as a form of aid was also a game changer and this gave us an opportunity to choose what to spend the money on. The way GiveDirectly relays in information was also very well thought out.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $200 of the second transfer to purchase a water tank while another $100 was used to buy building materials for a poultry house that we are yet to start it's construction. Another $100 was used to buy and erect ceiling boards in a house that we had built when we received the second transfer. We then used the remaining amount to buy clothes for our children. For a long time, I had a desire of buying a water tank since we have always had water problems forcing us to travel for far too long distances in search of clean drinking water. I am so happy and grateful that we now have a water tank and that we will no longer have to struggle to get clean drinking water again.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($459 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy and grateful for the support when I first received a confirmation from GiveDirectly. It was around 8:00 pm when I got the message. At that moment, I was alone at home, and when my husband got home, I shared the exciting news before collecting it together the following morning.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the completion of the payment of school fees for my children, who are no longer experiencing frequent disturbance amidst their studies. Previously, they would come home to collect their school fees, but at the moment, they are comfortably studying with the other children at school. I am glad they can extend their studies at home since we have an excellent lighting system and adequate space.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving the first transfer, it was a glorious moment for my family that had been expecting the support. We had plans lined up, but first; we had to complete the construction of a house that has been hanging for a long time. I needed a ceiling board, doors, and windows, and later purchased a wet battery, solar panel, and also lighting equipment to complete the interior furnishing at a total cost of KES 20000. My children can comfortably study under conducive lighting at the moment that replaced the fumy lantern lamp we had been using. I also spent KES 5000 on clearing tuition arrears for my elder child and paid KES 2000 for the three primary school kids. In addition, I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuff and new pairs of clothes for my family of six. We are all grateful and hopeful about doing more with the second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As a mother, my family's welfare is my major concern each day. I do not have a stable source of income to secure our needs. Though casual jobs have been my major source of income, I practice farming to enhance it. To be receiving this cash transfer means, a better source of income. I am planning to use KES 43000 to improve my farming. I will use KES 13000 to set up a good chicken house and KES 30000 to buy a dairy cow. I prefer this since I am available to look after them. Having milk for household consumption and sales will boost both my income and my family's health. I will be selling eggs from my chicken to buy some household items.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband and I never went beyond the primary school level of education. Casual jobs are our main source of livelihood given that we own just a 0.5-acre piece of land. In the last six months, my happiness has been drawn from the availability of small casual jobs. I have provided for my family out of this. The KES 200 that I earn on a day can cater to the daily household expenditure and save approximately KES 50 a day for future needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a mother of five with four living under my care. In my 0.5 pieces of land, I have set aside a small section for maize farming to enhance our food security. Due to the small size of my land, poor weather, and pests, maize has not been doing well. Food insecurity has been part of my family year in and out. This is the major challenge I am facing.
