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 ($431 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have put some little savings that I am planning to add some more money so that I can buy a mature dairy cow. Accomplishing this means that I will be able to get additional income from selling milk and this I will be able to cater for my family bills and expenses.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is supporting the poor in the community like me. With this unconditional cash transfers, we have been able to empower ourselves. I also like the service that we were offered by the field officers who were very kind and respectful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Raising five children on my own as a single mother without a reliable job has not been an easy task. I have been running a green grocery store to earn living. With the tough economic times, the business was not doing well last year and my three children who are in high school had accumulated huge school balance. I spend $400 of my second transfer to pay the fees arrears and the balance to add more stock to my business. What gives me peace is knowing that my children were able to settle in school and do their exams and I was able to support my business which was at the verge of collapsing.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($468 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 in the forest fetching firewood for my firewood business. Then suddenly, I heard my phone ringing, Upon checking I realised that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness, in that, I knew that I would be able to accomplish the goals that I had set. I then embarked on planning how I would cash out my money.
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 was able to pay school fees for my children which I was unable to clear before due to financial constraints. Additionally, I started a goat rearing project. I have been able to accomplish my dreams in a short period. I am grateful to the organization for putting smiles on our faces and for transforming our living standards into higher ones.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a widow majoring in selling firewood, I am blessed with seven children. I have been struggling with school fees responsibilities for a while. I have been selling firewood in the village but still, it is not enough to cater for all our needs. Therefore when I received my transfer I thought of paying school fees of KES 20,000 so that my children can comfortably study in school. In addition to that, I started a goat rearing project with 20,000 and lastly I bought foodstuffs and clothes with the remaining amount of the transfer. I am grateful for the support that impacted my life greatly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I lost my husband in the year 2006 and I have always been the sole provider for my 6 children. I pay school fees to my 3 children in secondary school, also I have a small dilapidated grass-thatched kitchen, whenever it is the rainy season we are being rained on when cooking. The same kitchen is where my 3 daughters sleep. When I receive money from GiveDirectly I am planning in constructing a spacious decent kitchen going for KES 30000 to serve as the kitchen area and where the 3girls sleep because I own a small house that accommodates me and the younger kids.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Recently it has been raining and this means I will be able to harvest sufficient food from my garden. I plant vegetables, maize, and sweet potatoes with the rain my family will harvest food which can take us up to 3monthhs. This will be a relief for me since I will be able to save a few coins from the daily food expenditures.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have always thought of owning a dairy cow, although being a widow with 6children I have not had the chance to own any this is because of the unstable source of income. I am a casual laborer, I work on our neighbor's land as a gardener it paying as little as KES 200 per day. This has not been sufficient to cater to all the family's needs. I am planning of buying a dairy cow for KES 25000 when I receive money from GiveDirectly. This will enable me fullfil my heart's desires.
