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 ($442 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I used to live in fear, especially whenever I see any of my brothers going around the farm thinking that they will chase me away from my parents farm as I did not have anywhere else to live. The fear has since been erased after I bought my own land, and I am very confident in whatever I do because I have a place to call my own. Once I have enough money, I will build a house in it and make a home. I am so grateful for GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Its officers are very nice people, the taught us all that we needed to know and answered the questions that we had. I am happy that the exercise was fair and the people that received the transfers have their life improved. Everything, to me, was done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the first transfer, I purchased a piece of land and only paid a portion of the amount required. I therefore completed payment of the piece of land using the second transfer received. I also bought building materials such as iron sheets with the rest of the transfer and currently planning to start building once I have enough money to pay for labor for building.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 6.30 am was still sleeping and I had my phone vibrate but I was lazy to check on it since I thought it was the usual messages I do receive from Safaricom. After I woke up, I went to prepare breakfast for my family thereafter I checked my phone and I saw an MPESA message from Givedirectly. I was so happy and thanked God since I knew I would initiate all the plans I had.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Paying the debt of the land that I had is the biggest difference in my daily life. I can now sleep peacefully without being stressed about where to get such a huge amount of money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving the first transfer was a huge relief to me. After the withdrawal from my first transfer, I spent KES 40,000 in paying a debt I had for land I had purchased from my neighbor. I am happy since I no longer have to stress about what to do so that I can pay the lump sum amount. I also bought a sheep worth KES 3000. I can sell in the future when I have pressing needs. With the remaining amount, I used to purchase foodstuff and clothes for my family members.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother of 6 living in a small single hut. This house is 12 years old and the grass has started falling off allowing leakage during rains and light penetration on sunny days.The condition of the house lowers my self-esteem especially when guests are around.This is because apart from leaking roofs the soot also falls randomly on the tables hence making the room untidy. In addition, the house does not offer privacy to me as a mother because we have to spend the nights with my three daughters on the floor of this room. With KES 40000 my dream of owning an iron-roofed house will come true. This will allow me to collect safe water for drinking during the rain seasons
What is the happiest part of your day?
The availability of casual jobs despite being minimal at this times of the year have brought joy in my life.I have been able to put food on the table from the little incomes I get from these casual jobs.This has made me happy because unlike last year we have experienced better times this year .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a single mother, all responsibilities of my family are geared towards me. The casual work I do earns me at most KES 150 per day .This incomes are insufficient to meet my household such as food and clothings. Getting a job during drought periods is usually tough and this subjects us to periods of hunger within the family. Having three or two meals a day in this household has become a tale because of limited incomes.
