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 ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I had intended to renovate my rental house by improving it and changing the roofing. Initially, it only had four rooms and the rents charges that I have been receiving were too little. I had wished to at least add two rooms so that at the end of the month I can be collecting reasonable money from my tenants. I however hope that I will be able to accomplish this soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so a splendid job in the entire village. The officers made sure that they visited every needy house to get enrolled. There was no discrimination at all since everyone was satisfied with the whole exercise. I, therefore, do not see any part that GiveDirectly needs to change
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying ten goats at a total of KES 40000. I have desired to have them for a long but because of financial hardships, I couldn't afford to have them. I purchased them purposely for a business. I am planning to buy and sell them to the nearest markets which will now be a stable job that I can depend on. To add to that, I cleared fees of KES 2000 and bought new school uniforms for my three children. They are now studying peacefully without any disturbances. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and other household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Being a cook in one of the local secondary schools in our village, I was at my work place preparing some meal for the students when I heard my fellow workers saying, “zidzangira zidzangira” meaning GiveDirectly have sent them the money. I was very curious of knowing my status and went for my phone which was in my handbag. I was overwhelmed and felt happy after seeing that I have not been left behind in the transfers. That was the happiest day ever I have ever been while at my work place.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am grateful for three things that I can sincerely say if it were not for GiveDirectly I wouldn’t have managed them yet. These are:
i. The goats. Since it was my desire to have them but I had no means that would facilitate or enable me to have them.
ii. The motorbike. Initially it was working well but after the breakdown it got and also some parts worn-out, it was just in the store like history that I used to have a motorbike. I am pleased to say that GiveDirectly revived my motorbike and is now operating.
iii. The bed. Before GiveDirectly, I was sleeping on a small traditional bed made of ropes in between, but as at now I sleep comfortably in a spacious modern and standard bed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the money, I bought 5 goats for KES 20000.00 since my desire was to keep livestock at home. The appropriate one I thought of was a cow but looking at how dry the area is I opted for goats because goats can resist more than cows. I also repaired my motorbike which has been assisting us in fetching some water as well as doing some little light transportation of goods and even people from one destination to another at a fee. The repair cost KES 7000.00. Having settled the two issues which were in my top list, I also bought a bed for KES 6000.00, school uniforms and other clothes for my children which cost KES 5000.00. I also paid KES 1000.00 school fees for my nursery school child. For the remaining amount I took KES 6000.00 and bought some poles and kept the rest for food and other family issues. The poles I bought mark the beginning of how I will use the second transfer because I am planning to construct a house.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means supplementing my income by boosting my retail shop business. My monthly salary of KES 8000 is not enough for food, water and other necessities such as education for my children. I, therefore, recently started selling maize flour, cereals and soap but I have not had the ability to increase my stock. My priority is to build a premise at an estimated budget of KES 5,000 and add a variety of goods amounting to KES 20,000. The rest of the transfer will go into livestock as an investment for future financial requirements.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up early in the morning to prepare my children for school before doing the house chores. When I am done with this, I am usually happy since my three children are off to school, my house is organized and therefore I get time to focus on my work as a cook in a nearby school. Morning is therefore the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Low rainfall in this region has led to drought. It is thus very common for us to skip meals up to two times a day. Water has also become very expensive due to its scarcity. A 20 litre jerican would normally be KES 5 but it now costs up to KES 50. All the income I struggle to earn, about KES 8000 a month, thus goes into buying food and water. This leaves me with little money to satisfy other needs like paying school fees. This puts me in a really hopeless situation making food insecurity my biggest hardship.
