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 ($468 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?
As soon as I accomplished the first goal I had when being enrolled in the program, I developed an additional plan. The second goal is to build a permanent house to replace the existing one. I currently live in a mud house that is relatively smaller and dusty especially during the day. Once I succeed in building this house, I shall be glad because I shall use it all through my life without a need for a new house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does so well in doing follow up to know who received the transfers and how they have spent it. As a result of good follow up, it comes in handy to help resolve cases of misunderstanding and disagreement that may arise some families. Secondly, the aspect of doing follow us has contributed towards helping recipients to wisely spend their transfers. In contrary, I have not seen what GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 from my most recent transfer to buy cement and sand for building a new permanent house. Since this has been an additional goal, its construction began barely 2 weeks ago hence it is not yet complete although the work is in progress. In my house, we are currently living just the two of us, my husband and I. Therefore, an additional bedroom in the newly constructed house is meant to serve my guests, since all my children are currently in marriage.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While sweating very early in the morning doing some digging in the shamba, I had kept my phone under a tree where I usually keep my bottle of water. The phone rang and since I was tired I got an excuse of taking a break. On reaching where the phone was, I checked on the message that had been sent. I felt stronger after seeing that the promise made by the Give Directly officers who came and register us has been fulfilled.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In my life I haven’t dream of living in a block house. This is because even the dreams someone dreams align with the living condition and the ability of the person. As at now I am comfortably living in a block house. No more worries about rainfall neither the land terrain. For sure GiveDirectly made a huge difference in my life, a mark that won’t fade.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My biggest cry for a while now was to have a permanent house. The ones I have been having were always disappointing during the rainy season because rainy water gets in to the house and some time they fall off and this is due to the terrain of the land where I live. On receiving the transfer, I decided to construct a house. I bought 10 bags of cement for KES 10000.00, 2 trips of building sand for KES 8000.00 and 900 interlocking blocks for KES 9000.00. I paid the contractor and saved the remaining amount after buying a goat so that can start rearing too.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will buy two oxen worth 30,000 shillings to plough my one acre piece of land .I had two oxen but I sold them when my last born joined secondary school to cater for his studies.I will build a toilet for the family since my toilet collapsed last year during the heavy rains. Me and my family depend on my neighbour's toilet.digging the pit latrine and building it will cost 30,000 shillings and I will spend 30,000 for food and the remaining amount I will buy maize highbrid seeds to plant during this coming short rains.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening when I have completed all my daily chores , eaten my super with my husband and we are in bed resting- This is the time I feel happy for finishing the day we'll.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I encountered in life is bringing up of my children in poverty.I faced a lot of difficulties in bringing my children under poor background because my husband was not employed anywhere and he used to rely on white color jobs and we are all not educated so we have passed a difficulty life.
