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 ($483 USD)
access_time 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 since I now have something that can bring income to me unlike before I only depended on salary. Having a cow is a long term investment that will not only help me but also my children mostly when I sell its offsprings to pay their school fees. I am also fulfilled since I was able to furnish my house hence creating a homely environment in my house. This could not have been possible now since furniture's are very costly and required displined saving which was not possible because of my meagre salary.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The sending of the transfers directly to us ensured that we benefitted wholly from the program. This is one of the best decision Give Directly made. Give Directly is also honest and never biased when choosing their recipient and through this, me a divorcee was able to benefit from their programs. For now I really don't know their bad side since they helped me without even knowing me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers on buying a cow worth 35000 Ksh. This cow will ensure that I have a continuous source of income when I start selling milk and later I might sell its offsprings to generate more income. I also bought a phone worth 14500 since I didn't have one and used the rest of the transfers to clear other small debts I had from green grocers shops.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning when I received a message alert on my phone when I read the message I saw a huge amount of money written down, I knew GiveDirectly had finally sent us the promised transfer, I was so happy and excited, I never bothered going to the farm again, it was a memorable day for us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that my family enjoys drinking milk daily which I know will improve the health of my children, with goat rearing I believe in future I will be able to earn a good amount of money unlike before where I used to depend on the casual job which was challenging for me to meet my family daily basic needs. our lives have changed to a better one.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had always wished to buy a dairy cow and goats but I did not have the funds to invest in them because I am a casual labourer who earns very little which was not even enough to depend on, when I received my transfer I knew that this was my only chance to finally realise my dream, I bought a dairy cow and a goat with the transfer, my children now have enough milk supply, will forever be grateful to the organization.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I lost my job as a cleaner when corona hit the country last year March. I relocated back home and started doing casual labour jobs such as construction within the village. It has been my dream to be self employed in the poultry sector. When I receive the transfer I will use it to start poultry farming and livestock farming by buying at least 10 goats and some chickens. Having my own source of income gives me job security and I can earn more income through it.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On my usual day I wake up at 7 in the morning, take breakfast then go out to look for construction or farming jobs within the village. I am mostly happy in the evenings when I get paid on the days I am working and when I am with my friends and catching up.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship in life has been unemployment, for over a year now I haven't been able to earn a stable income and this has even affected my relationship with my wife. She decided to go to get parents house for reasons I don't know but it was escalated by me not bringing in enough income as before. I used to earn 13,000 after taxation and that would help pay for fees and other basic needs such as food. When I was laid off I could not continue providing for my family like I used to.
