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 ($493 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 would have been if did not receive my transfer in that I was very poor but now I am owning a plot of land after purchasing it with my first transfer. Also, I am owning livestock that I plan to use in the future to build a rental house once they multiply and by adding to the savings from the milk selling.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well for sending us cash transfers to support the poor household, unlike other organizations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase one crossbreed dairy cow and 3 goats for $ 350 this because I have wished to start livestock rearing. My plan is to sell them when they multiply and add some money that I would have saved with my husband from the selling of milk so that we may construct a rental house. In addition, I spent $163 of the remaining amount to pay for the school fees of my child who dumb and is in a special school. For the rest of the cash, I bought food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I got a message in the afternoon when I was having my lunch with my family. I heard my phone buzzing, a notification of an incoming message. I checked the contents and I realised it was an Mpesa message. I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy and rejoiced with my family for this fortune.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the transfer has enabled me to clear an outstanding balance for a piece of land. I am planning to build a rental house on this piece of land. This will assure me of a stable source of income once I begin this project. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because it would have taken me months to clear this debt.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had began to pay for a piece of land that I was planning to build a rental house. I had however not cleared the outstanding balance. When I received my first transfer, I spent KES 37000 of the transfer to clear this balance. I am now owning the piece of land and doing my project of building a rental house. This is an investment which I am assured of getting a stable income. I spent KES 13000 to pay for my children school fees and also did some shopping on stationeries and new school uniforms for them.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive this money,I will venture into livestock farming. Livestock does well in this region especially when there is enough pasture. I would like to do it differently by buying a more improved breed at a cost of 250 USD. Most farmers here rear the traditional breeds which produce less milk. I will then build a kitchen separate from the main house so as to avoid smoke in the main house. Part of the money will also go into paying school fees for my child with special needs who learns in a special school. I pay close to 200 USD per term.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Unlike the evening hours, I am usually stronger in the morning. I require more energy in the morning since I do casual jobs as well as cultivate my farm. They are very tiresome activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My twelve year old son developed a problem at birth which has made him paralysed on one side of his body. He is epileptic too. I have tried different types of medication including herbal medicine but his condition has not improved. He is currently in a special school. This is what has been my biggest hardship;raising him up. He needs special attention and money to facilitate his well being. I depend on casual jobs to make ends meet;same to my spouse. Such jobs are unreliable and earn less while my son is always on medication. I pay close to 200 USD as school fees per term. This is before buying medicine and paying for his massage sessions. It has not been an easy 12 years.
