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 ($492 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because of the pride I feel for having constructed a good decent house. It is always the pride and joy of every man to have his family stay in a decent place.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give Directly does a good job by giving people unconditional cash. This has given most people a chance to be financially empowered especially those who had no hopwe in life. On the other hand, there is no area they are not good at. I would encourage them to keep up with the good work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I started constructing a house with the first transfer but I was not able to complete it because I ran out of cash. When I received the second transfer I used a bigger portion of it to complete it. The previous house was in a bad condition, a better part of the wall had fallen off while the roof was leaking. Aportion of the money I spent on installing a water tank where I will be harvesting rain water. Since accessing water in our area is a challenge.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the house early on that morning when I received my transfers. I heard a message come into my phone and when I checked, it was the Mpesa message for the transfers. I was very very happy, and I took some time to get my thoughts together, so that I could plan on how I would spend the transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now able to build a bigger house that will have no leaking roof. The new house will also have sufficient space which can allow me to keep anything I want inside.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to purchase materials worth $370 for building a new house, the remaining amount of money I spent on food and some few household utilities such as soap. I have three children and I herd cattle for pay as a source of income. I live with my family in a small house that also has a leaking roof. I was very happy when I received the transfers as I will now be able to build a three-roomed house which will be more spacious and sufficient for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For a very long time, I have dreamt of owning a well structured house but due to financial crisis I have never be able to. Receiving this transfer will make my dream come true because I will be using 40,000 shillings to build a 3 roomed house, 42000 shillings to purchase cows for ploughing specifically to increase production for subsistence use and 9000 shillings will be used to buy goats which will assist in any financial emergency. The remaining amount will help me in my daily spending like buying of food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Everyday I wake up and start my daily business of hawking charcoal in the nearby town using my small bicycle to move around. The day becomes long and tiresome because I eat nothing. However, when it reaches evening, I feel relaxed because that is my resting time and I normally spend it with my family chatting and laughing while having my meal for the day. This is why evening is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was admitted in hospital for 3 months and during that time my father passed away. I became the sole breadwinner for my family. Due to my health condition, I was not able to provide for them as well as pay my hospital bills and my mother was forced to engage in casual jobs to raise funds for this. However, the money she earns is never enough to cater for these needs. Thus, inadequate finances are my biggest challenge.
