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?
After utilizing the second transfer as per my plans, I developed an entrepreneurial goal of doing a grocery business to generate some income. I decided to work out my modalities to get some capital to start this business because people in my village have to travel a longer distance to access a grocery. I feel this business will thrive and earn me a living once I start it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
It was a good thing for the organization to give us money instead of items. This enabled us to purchase and do things as per our needs. I shout out to the planners and the whole management of GiveDirectly for this well-thought strategy. I have not seen or heard of an organization with such a strategy as GiveDirectly. I applaud it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
when I got the second transfer, my children were one week old at home after being sent out of school due to school fees and some fee arrears which in combination had accumulated to KES 24000.00 for my four children. Thereafter, I completed my house which I had started using the first transfer. I bought poles and rafters for KES 5000.00 and paid a labor charge of KES 8500.00 to the contractor. I also bought two goats for KES 7000.00 and six plastic chairs for KES 4500.00 because I had no chairs at my home and it was shameful giving logs to visitors to seat on. As of now, I am confident of receiving visitors.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That day, I came home in the evening and I was tired and just wanted to relax. As I was relaxing, I heard my messager ring and upon checking it up, an Mpesa message popped up and wow! I realized it the cash transfers. I was so happy and couldn't wait to go and withdraw the money so that I can spend it to achieve my goals.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
When I lost all my livestock to drought last year, I didn't see myself owning livestock in the near future because I couldn't afford to by livestock myself. Right now, my household now looks more active than before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Ever since my husband died, it hasn't been easy raising our five children whom we all live in a single room house. All I have wanted is to build a specious and decent house for my kids but the low income that I earn from working in a quarry is not enough to save towards building a house. Being enrolled into the program was a great opportunity and my first set goal was to build a house and I have already started working towards achieving it. I spend KES 22500 to buy roofing material, KES 5000 to settle fees arrears for my children, KES 7000 to buy two goats and I have been spending the balance to cater for other basic needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means self-employment for me, I work at a quarry that is 20 kilometers away from my hometown which is a 3-hour walk every day. I reach home exhausted and I can not cook for my kids. I will open a grocery kiosk to sell spinach, cabbages, and fruits at my town center to serve my people. This will at least give me ample time with my family. With the profit from my business, I will be able to pay school fees for my 5 children and buy food. I will build a new house with space to accommodate my 5 children and my mother-in-law. There is no privacy in the house I am having as of now, for me to change clothes I have to chase away my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I rear goats in my compound, during the drought season getting pastures was difficult for them. I had to spend four hours looking for pastures to feed them. Last month the rains came, the environment, changed and I can graze them behind my house and feed to satisfaction. Last week one goat gave birth to twins, this brought joy to me knowing I have investments for my 5 children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was left with 5 children and my mother-in-law after my husband passed in 2020. Feeding this family has always been a problem for me, I had to do casual jobs to get food. Currently, I work at a quarry which is 20 kilometers from my home. I developed breathing problems because of the dust I encountered every day while at the quarry. I have to work in a harsh environment to cater to my family's needs(food and school fees) because am the only sole provider. I am worried about my health but I have no otherwise because if I don't work they will starve.
