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 ($519 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?
The biggest difference in my life is that I have extended my house meaning adding extra room where my guests can sleep in and also act as a store for my food and other valuable items. Before I had no space to accommodate my visitors and store my food. Currently, I have a decent spacious house which I am more comfortable to live in unlike before. All in all I am grateful to GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly did an amazing job by enrolling every household in our village. There was no external influence from anyone on whom was to be enrolled. I never noticed anything which Give Directly never did well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
A breakthrough came when I got my second transfer. Fencing my compound had been giving me a headache just because I needed my place fenced but I did not know where to get money for the project. I saved some amount so that I would also spend on other projects on my farm in the near future. I am still thinking about what would be best around poultry farming and rearing goats.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a veranda joined to my main house. Due to this, I no longer worry about my clothes being rained on especially during this rainy season. Also, I will be taking my nap in the veranda when I do not feel like napping inside the house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had visited one of my daughters and I was already awake waiting for dawn when I received a message alert on my phone. Upon checking its contents, my heart was filled with happiness as the message indicated that I had received money from GD. I knew that my prayers had finally been answered.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfer, I spent it to renovate my house. First, I bought some paints so that my house will always look nice and more presentable. Also, I bought two steel windows to replace the wooden ones. I spent the remaining amount to buy some timber, nails and iron sheets to use in building a veranda.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me build a decent house.I will build a kitchen to replace the current one which is grass thatched with mud walls.I will then renovate the living room priority being to cement the floor.I will then make good seats so that visitors can be comfortable when they visit.Living comfortably is all what I want at my current old age.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend 3 hours in the morning working in my farm then spend the rest of the day relaxing and doing a little bit of house chores.I am happy in the evening since I get to spend time with my grandchildren after school.They help me with the house chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Depending on farming has been a challenge for me for many years. We only depend on maize farming in this area which has not been doing well for years.This is mainly due to crop diseases.During the dry season we go through the hardship of getting food because what we harvest does not sustain us for a longer period.We also lack clean water because we mainly depend on water pans which is not safe for drinking.At my age depending on farming is becoming more difficult because I do not have enough energy like before to do farm work.This has limited my income even further.
