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 ($533 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I managed to build a house where I now live comfortably with my family. I also bought a number of livestock such as goats which I have been rearing for some time now. Finally, though the motorbike business, I have been able to get money which I then transfer to the school fees account of my kids.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I believe that the organization does a good job of giving people unconditional transfers which they use to change their lives. Right now everybody is able to plow their farm without being left behind due to lack of cash or equipment necessary for carrying out such an exercise. I believe that going forward, the area will be able to get a good harvest which means that this location will have enough food and become self-sustained.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the cash transfers on buying a second-hand motorbike which my husband has been using to ferry passengers at a fee. I am always sure of getting an income at the end of each day from the daily operations of this motorbike. I also managed to build a house where I now live comfortably with my family. I also bought a number of livestock such as goats which I have been rearing for some time now
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The transfer enabled us to buy enough building materials which include bricks, sand and bags of cement as well as paying for labor cost in order to renovate my house. I am happy that I now live in a permanent house unlike before when my house was made of mud. Having a permanent house to live in makes it be the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification early in the morning. Upon checking its content, it was from M-Pesa indicating that some money had been debited into my account. For sure I could not sleep any more for I had never expected that much money considering the little income I depend on my husband. As I went through the message, I was filled with inexpressible joy because GiveDirectly had sent the transfer they had promised us.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of the first transfer to buy some building materials which include bricks, sand and several bags of cement for the renovation of my house which was mudded. My desire has been to make it more permanent. I am now living comfortably in my newly renovated house, courtesy of GiveDirectly because it would have taken me much longer to accomplish this. However, with the coming of GiveDirectly to our village, it just took only a few days to do this. I also paid for the full cost of transporting these materials as well as paying for labour. My son pursuing a diploma course in college was at risk of being discontinued in his studies by the college due to outstanding fee arrears. Thus the transfer enabled me to clear the remaining balance of KES 10,000 for him to continue with his studies. I spent the remaining amount on foodstuffs and meeting other basic necessities for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I used to make school uniforms for the nearby schools as a tailor.Due to lack of adequate working capital to purchase the materials,I could not keep up the supply with increasing demand.As a result, I ended up losing the business to other people who had adequate working capital.
Receiving money from Givedirectly means I will have sufficient working capital and confidence to renegotiate for the contract to supply the uniforms .
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening during dinner.At this time every family member is available and we get to share our different experiences of the day from our respective areas such as work,school,college and home.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is high dependency ratio in the family.From the time I was employed as a teacher,I have been concentrating on supporting my siblings through education and other basic needs.By the time I was done with them,the responsibilty of educating my own children came in.This has left me with no resources to initiate other personal projects even though I have been emplyed for so many years.
