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 ($493 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?
My life is now different than it would have been if I had not received my transfer in that my life is empowered, I was jobless but through this transfer, I was able to start a grocery business which is earning me an income. Also, I have a decent house for my family since my house had collapsed along time ago and I was sleeping in a small house which belongs to my neighbour.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has did well for sending cash transfers which has helped to transform the level of life in my village. A lot of people are happy with the organisation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer to educate my children who are in primary school. Also, I bought beddings for my family since we used to sleep on old sacks, I was very shamed whenever I received guests because of the condition of my bedding. In addition, I bought clothes for my family members since I had not been able to buy clothes for the past one year because of lack of adequate finances. I invested the other amount in starting a grocery business, vending vegetables around the village. This business earns me an income of 5 dollars per day which assists me to meet the needs of my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message around midday and on checking the contents, I realised it was from GiveDirectly. I had received my first transfer. The thought that I would build a new spacious and iron roofed house made me happy. I thanked them for the financial support.
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 living in a new spacious and iron roofed house. I built this house through the first transfer. My previous house had collapsed many years back. I was forced to live in what used to be my kitchen. It was not spacious and also was grass thatched. I am happy that GiveDirectly has helped me with this. I would still be living in my old kitchen had I not received this help.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on building a new house. I was living in what has been my kitchen after my living house collapsed many years back. I did not plan of building a new house since then, because I did not have enough money for this. Its when I received the transfer that I managed to purchase iron sheets and nails and built the new house. In addition to this I also bought a new mattress to replace the old beddings I have been using for years. I spent the remaining amount to buy enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My community largely depend on subsistence farming for our economic activities. We mainly use oxen to plough our lands. These are owned by few better families and they are expensive to hire. To me receiving this money means a better income and better farm produce. I am planning to use the transfer to buy oxen that I will use in my farm as well as hire them out within my community to earn an extra income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of my day is in the evening when I am back home. This is the time I am with my family sharing our days experiences and bonding together as we wait for our supper then retire to bed to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is the starvation that was brought by long drought in our area. We lost the most basic needs to the drought. As a the head of my family, I used to go far to collect water and later on again go look for food for the family. We went without food several days that season besides the hardship of searching for. I was deeply depressed and tired of the life of that season but couldn't do anything to change it.
