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 ($465 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?
My new goal is to boost my livestock rearing by purchasing some more goats. Currently, I have two goats and I have wished to buy more so that they may reproduce fast. I intend to sell them in the future to support the education of my 3 children who are still schooling.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for enrolling every household in the village without any bias. This has reduced compliments from the villagers. In addition, the cash was unconditional and we had the right to decide on how to spend our cash at a household level to better our lives. I do not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer to construct a better shelter for my family. Previously, I had to seek shelter from my neighbor something that deprived me of my privacy. All that time, I was not free while seeking shelter from my neighbor. After receiving my second transfer, I used KES 35,000 to construct a decent one-roomed house for myself. Currently, I am happy that I enjoy freedom and privacy in my house courtesy of the transfer from GiveDirectly. I remained with KES 20,000 which I had saved in an account, it will help me in educating my kid who is about to join secondary school next term.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the grazing field herding my goats. I vividly remember it was around 9 o'clock when I heard my phone ringing. I did not understand the meaning of the messages since I am illiterate and I did bother myself checking. I waited until 4 o'clock when my helper come back home from school so he may check my phone. I was overwhelmed with joy when he informed me that I had received my transfer. We together celebrated since I know that my kids will finally be able to learn without any problem.
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 currently living a better life after receiving my transfer. Through the transfer, I was able to purchase proper beddings for my family. In addition, my kids are learning without being sent home due to fee arrears. Furthermore, I am able to meet my daily needs like food without struggling much unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 2000 to clear the primary school fee arrears for my 4 children, this is because they were constantly out of school due to huge fee balances. I also bought 2 beds and 2 mattresses for KES 16,400 for my family. Previously, we were using traditional beddings which were uncomfortable to sleep on. Every morning I was feeling backache after waking up. In addition, I spent KES 3,400 to purchase sufficient food for the family since we are experiencing famine in our area. I saved the remaining amount to assist me in educating my eldest son who is completing primary school and will join secondary school next year.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a reliable source of income for my household. I am planning to spend $300 transfer to buy 10 goats which will act as long term investment project to my family. I will sell the goats at a profit when they multiple. I will use the remaining amount of my first transfer to pay school fees for my children at school. With my second transfer I will spend $250 my to construct a separate house for to restore to respect that I have lost for long. The remaining amount will cater for household needs like food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of the day is in the evening. This is the time I can rest after a long day of doing causal labor. The resting give me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced is financial instability. I am doing a casual job of charcoal vending, the job is tiresome and time-consuming, and the earning is very little such that cannot fully sustain all household needs. This has led me to sometimes be unable to put food on my table. We constantly skip meals or borrow from relatives something that does not give me a piece of mind .
