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
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I had never received my transfer in that, I was able to own solar panels with my first transfer which helps my kids to study at night whenever they are given homework. Furthermore, they are more attentive in class after buying comfortable beddings. I was also able to purchase building stones which will assist me in the construction of the permanent house for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well by sending us transfers which helped us to transform our lives for the better.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer to purchase 2 lorries of building stones at $230 per lorry. This is for the construction of a permanent house for my family. The one we have at the moment was built with mad walls and it is about to collapse. I wanted to own a permanent one to avoid the cost of building a new house every year which is costly. The remaining amount assisted me to purchase beds and beddings for my children since they were sleeping on the floor and they constantly complain of backache. This has affected their concentration in school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at the farm working and on that day, I had left my phone in the house. My neighbor's children, whose parents had also received the transfers, found me at the farm and said to me that I seemed happy on that day because I had received some money. I had no idea what they were talking about as I had not checked my phone. It is when they informed me that the transfers had been sent out, that I ran back to the house to check my phone. I was very happy and I sang with joy. I immediately tried to call the GiveDirectly hotline number to say thank you, but the number did not go through. I was very happy and I am so grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that we now own a Solar panel and we have electricity flowing in my home. My home now looks good and presentable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to purchase a solar panel at $110, to buy a bed and mattress at $100, I bought food with $50 and the remaining $20000, I gave my husband so he could use the money to get a loan and purchase a motorbike for business. I am a tailor while my husband is a transports passengers on a motorcycle for pay. We could have never managed to purchase a solar panel. I was very happy and very grateful to GiveDirectly that my home now looks good as presentable. We now have electricity in the home.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My biggest ambition is to own a permanent house. This will save me the hustle of repairing my current house frequently. I have been saving for the same but due to insufficient income, I have not been able to achieve my dream. Receiving this money therefore means accomplishing my desire. I will supplement it with my savings for the aforementioned purpose.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My compound is a bit secluded and I do not have very close neighbours. My children normally play in the neighborhood leaving me feeling lonely. I am very happy in the evening when they are back because their company breaks the boredom.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial inadequacy is my biggest hardship. This is due to low income because our income generating activities are unstable. My husband's motorcycle business has really been affected by the pandemic and the much he earns is 300 shillings a day. My tailoring job produces around 300 shillings a month. This is due to the hard economic situation in our village where people do not view clothes as a priority. This situation has resulted to us lacking even the cheapest commodities such a quarter of sugar which goes for 25 shillings.
