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 ($528 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Previously I used to trek a long distance to get just get a jerrican of water. We would spend a lot of time getting water and would hinder us from doing casual work which was my main source of income for a family. I managed to pipe water into my compound. We now have easy access to clean water every time of the day and I do not have to walk a long distance to get water which is strenuous and time-consuming.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
They really helped me a lot. I have since managed to pipe water into my compound. It was hard finding water in my area it would take me two hours to get just a jerrican of water. I also used the transfer to lease a farm, hired a tractor and bought sugarcane seeds that I planted. I look forward to harvesting the farm produce to get money to pay school fees for my children, start up a business to help in the generation of income for their daily upkeep
They do not do anything wrong.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I had an old house that would leak when it rained. When I received the transfer I used it to buy building materials to use in building a new house. I lack words to explain how my life has changed. I used to do odd jobs that could earn me a meagre income which was supposed to only sustain a household of 5 children from their eating, dressing, and education. I struggled but never gave up. Thanks to the transfers, I now live in a bigger house with rooms for everyone in the family and we do not have to be rained on anymore.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($540 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a freshwater, so I do not have to cover a long distance to fetch water and at the same time I no longer consume the salty water.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I recieved the money I felt so happy and thaned God for such a blessing.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of the money I received from GiveDirectly to connect water to my compound so that I could solve the water challenges were facing previously. The current house I stay in a clay house that leaks during the rainy season, so I used part of the money to purchase building materials (bricks, sand, and gravel) that I'm planning to use to construct a brick house.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved living standards for my household. I would like to spend the transfer on expansion of sugarcane farming. This would increase my income and enable me pay fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening after work especially when I am paid for the casual labor and buy some basic needs like food for my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing in life is unreliable source of income. I depend on casual labor services that is seasonal and pays very little. This puts me in a tricky situation full of worries on how to feed my family.
