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 ($462 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My daughter completed her secondary school education in the year 2017 and was not able to join college since she became pregnant a year later. Because her child is all grown now and she does not mind leaving her behind, I am planning to continue supporting her in her education. She is willing to join college next year and I am now aiming to start saving money that I will later use in paying for her school fees and accommodation.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Being a village elder, I am happy with what GiveDirectly did in my village. There was a fair enrollment process and all eligible households were enrolled. Their officers also treated people with a lot of respect and never dictated to people how they should spend their transfer. Because of this, people were able to achieve their goals and uplift their living standards.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I depend on a business where I buy livestock from people and sell them during the market days. With this, I have been able to meet our basic needs on time and pay school fees for my grandaughter who stays with us. Since I had already built a more decent house for my family using part of the first transfer, I decided to spend my second transfer to purchase a piece of land. Due to this, I spent KES 50000 from it to purchase a point of land that my brother was selling and spent the remaining amount on food. I will plant some animal feeds on this section of land so that my cattle will have something to feed on during the dry season however small it may be.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 8a.m when I checked my phone and found that I had received an MPESA message from Give directly bearing the good news of the promised first transfer. I was so excited and immediately informed my family members and they were equally happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the acquisition of additional land and also the construction of a spacious modern house. I am so grateful to Give directly for choosing me to be one of the beneficiaries of this project.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent Kshs.20,000 on the construction of a two-roomed modern house. With a family of four, we had been living in a single grass thatched house and during the rainy season, we could be rained on. I am happy now that my family members can have a good shelter during cold seasons since we are almost moving to our new house. I also spent Ksh.30,000 on buying additional land which we can now plant enough food and can keep us throughout drought seasons. With the remaining amount, I used to buy maize and other household items for my entire family members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing and shelter. For 40 years now I have lived in a grass thatched house. I do a casual job in the market broking cows where I earn KES 500. Market days are on Monday and Tuesday. My earnings are insufficient to meet all my household needs like food and house construction. So when I get this transfer I wish to build a more spacious house costing KES 50000. As I am now old I need a place where my grandchildren can sleep when they visit and the remaining amount I will buy a heifer costing around 50000. I anticipate to yield more milk for household use and if in surplus sell to generate income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had made some savings hoping to build a house. My neighbor was selling a piece of land near my house and I decided to use my savings to purchase it. This brought joy and happiness into my life because with the piece of land there is an increase in my assets.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is lack of money. On market days I do cow broking earning KES 500 per day. I only go to market twice a week due to old age however my earnings cannot sustain all our needs for the entire week. With my old age, I have become less economically active and sometimes have to rely on my children for food.
