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 ($510 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?
I was much relieved of the stresses and struggles of fending for my family after receiving the transfer. Before then, I was worried about how to sustain my family, ensuring that we educate our children while making some developmental projects. The dramatic reduction in demand for the goods I offer in my quarrying occupation made it hard for me to adequately fend for my family as the main breadwinner. Thank you GiveDirectly for coming to our reacue in time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by keeping its promises, especially sticking to the promised dates of sending the transfers. This helps us in planning on how and when to spend the money. I find nothing that the organization does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used 250 USD of my second transfer on purchasing a cow to expand my herd. Since cattle keeping is a good venture in our area, I thought it would be wise for me to invest in it. Also, I paid school fees for my two children using 150 USD because I have been struggling to raise fees from my quarrying occupation. Of late we are facing a dramatic decline in demand for our goods. Furthermore, we bought clothes worth 100 USD since the ones we had were torn. Finally, we purchased ed some food items using the remaining amount because we had exhausted our stock.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1pm while driving when one of my friends called to confirm if I had received the transfers. Immediately, I relayed the good news to my wife who was equally excited and we planned for the money before withdrawal.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a dairy cow which I had desired for the past eleven years but wasn't possible. This is because I was overwhelmed with burdens of school fees and household needs. There is also increased happiness in my family because the transfers enabled celebrate a decent Christmas with my family.This wouldn't be possible because Corona had affected my job but GiveDirectly transfers came in on a timely manner.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 on a dairy cow which I had borrowed from a neighbor and the time he wanted to sell it. This will be a source of milk and income for my family in the near future. I also spent KES 2700 on a sack of maize because my maize stock was depleted and we normally buy maize in bits because of my meagr driver salary. I also spent KES 10,000 on latest clothing fashion because before we could only afford second hand clothes. I spent KES 3000 on maize farming because it was maize planting season when the transfers came.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
After the Corona pandemic, the has been ups and downs in my life. It reached at time when I was almost giving up. I resorted to lending my labour at the quarry which is the hardest job ever. I am relieved now because this money will give me a chance to start my own quarry and employ other people.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Everyday I wake up to go to quarry as early as 7 am in the morning untill 5pm in the evening. It is the hardest job ever. But in the evening, 6pm, I am very happy because I am resting as will socialize with my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hard is when I started working in Keringet as a herdsman at Elezander's farm in 1997 He promised me that he will buy a piece of land after working for him for 2 years but after I completed the agreed time he fail to honour the agreement. I decided to come back home. I was a major hardship because I toiled everyday for 2 years expecting that the agreement will be honoured.
