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 over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a new goal which is to purchase a big plastic water tank. I believe by having it, will be of help since we have been experiencing a prolonged water shortage in my village. I will be in a position to store water and even sell to my neighbours and generate an income since I am jobless. I will not only benefit from my domestic usage but also as a source of earnings.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly does well in my entire region in so many ways. First, the idea of sending the unconditional cash transfer was the best of all. This is because we all have different needs and this gave us the privilege of choosing what to purchase. Through that, there are so many transformations in my village which include decent houses, among others. I do not see any part that deserves a change so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on purchasing building materials which include bags of cement, iron sheets, bricks, cement and sand which cost almost KES 45000. My previous house was very small and I felt there was a need to add another room. The initial house could barely accommodate all my family members which have been stressing me a lot as a mother. I had been yearning to share a shelter with my kids since they were still very young but this was not possible as a result of the condition of our house. I am so glad to finally reunite with all my family members which have been my prayer. Later on, I paid fees of KES 1500 for my son who is in grade two. I am glad that for the first time he was able to study without being sent home like before. Also, I bought sufficient food for my family which took us a couple of days.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can vividly recall that it was early in the morning when I was still busy with the house chores. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing. When I checked to confirm who had called me, that was when I realise that I had received money from GIveDirectly. I then informed my husband who was equally happy. This is because we knew that we will be able to conclude the toilet project that we had started though we were unable to complete it due to financial constraints.
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 was able to accomplish a pit latrine project that was left halfway before due to financial constraints. In addition to that, I was able to connect a clean water supply to our home. Meaning that we would have sufficient water for our domestic consumption. Our living standards have been uplifted amazingly, thus we are forever thankful for the support that brought so much happiness to our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The news came as a big relief in my life because I had started constructing a pit latrine which was left halfway due to financial constraints. My husband works as a motorbike taxi rider and together we are blessed with two children. Therefore, I used a sum of KES 30,000 in finishing up the toilet project. I then used KES 5000 in connecting piped water to our home. Lastly, I used the remaining amount o foodstuffs and other baby-related stuff since I am expecting my third child. I feel happy and contented to have achieved so much in a short time.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that at least my husband weight of providing for our small family has been lowered.
He has been working as a motorcycle rider for over 5 years, and we have been able to do so much with savings that they put together with other motorbike riders as a table banking.
Upon receiving the first transfer of 55,000 KSH we plan to finish building a toilet that had stopped for lack of funds, the total cost is around 30,000 KSH.
The rest of the money will be channelled to bring a water project at home, which will be our income generating activities, we plan to sell water to relieve our neighbors from travelling far to get clean water. The whole cost of piping is at 25,000 KSH.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had been nagging my spouse to plaster and rebuild our house which had been built with mud.
I was glad the dream came true when he surprised me with money he had saved in the table banking with rest of the motorbike riders, and told me to help him start planning and it took us some week to start the small project; Although we are half way it makes me happy that we are half way to living our dreams.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As at now we travel long distances to get clean water, one has to wake up around 5.30 and on reaching there are long ques so it means coming back almost noon. So its difficult to do all household chores.
It's very expensive buying water where a jerrican of 20 litres costs 10 KSH, and I need around 5 jerricans. It's tough balancing for water and food and other important basic needs.
