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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I now have a decent shelter after many years of living in my neighbours compound. I managed to construct a new house, I purchased iron sheets, building poles and paid for the labour cost. Without this transfer, I don't think I would have managed at my own cost to construct the house considering the financial hardships that I was facing. I also have some livestock that I am rearing. These are assets to me that I can readily depend on in case of a financial need.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well in enrolling us to benefit from the transfers and raise our living standards. We have been able to build houses and taking our children to school. I don't see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying building materials in order to construct a new house. Previously I did not have a house, I was only sheltering in my neighbours house. But when I received this money, I purchased enough building materials that include iron sheets, building poles and paid for the labour cost. I am happy that I have a new house to live in with my family through this money. Drought had persisted for some time leading to shortage of water and food. This transfer helped me in buying the basic needs. I purchased some foodstuffs for my family and also paid for the household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
For quite a long time, I have always dreamed and wanted to start a business but I had no capital to start with. The greatest difference, therefore, is the fact that I now have a business! When I received the transfer from Give Directly I was able to start buying goats from around the village and selling them on Wednesdays during market days for profit. I am glad the business is doing well and through this, am now able to cater for my family's daily needs more comfortably.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11:00 pm when I saw the message notification. When I checked its content, it was from Give Directly indicating that they had debited my first transfer into my account as they had promised. At that moment, my heart was filled with joy since I knew that I would be able to do and achieve a lot using the transfers.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy a dairy cow for KES 16500. It has always been my desire for a long period of time to own one but due to my financial status, I could not afford it and when I finally got this money, I was able to fulfill my heart's desire. I also bought school uniforms and paid school fees for my five children. Their previous uniforms were old and torn and they were always sent home to collect school fees and this was affecting their academic performance. I used the rest of the transfer to start a business where I would buy goats in my village and selling them in the local market every Wednesday for a profit.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In an area like ours where the only reliable economic activities are subsistence farming, charcoal burning and livestock keeping, a house wife like me is forced to fully depend on her husband. Considering my husband's livestock business whose capital is borrowed from friends, the profit earned is usually divided equally with the lender. This makes his income unreliable since it can not sustain our family needs. Receiving this money means providing capital to my husband in order to invest in his business. I will use part of the transfers to repair my house and the remaining amount will support our children's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I wake up in the morning, I prepare my children to school. After they have gone, I also walk to the nearby pan to fetch water. When I am back, I am still forced to go and work at my farm, something that makes me feel so exhausted in the afternoon hours. In the evening, I prepare my family's dinner and share together. It is at this time when I get ample time with my children which are my source of happiness. Therefore, I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a house wife and I depend on my husband who usually borrow capital from friends in order to invest in livestock business. The profit from this business is divided equally with the lender making his income inadequate to support our family needs. This makes his source of income unreliable, a hardship that i have ever faced.
