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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($457 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I don't have new plans at the moment. This is because I am grateful and satisfied with my achievements. I am grateful for the support that empowered us financially.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The transfer from GiveDirectly was God-sent, both the young and the old were equally empowered financially. All over the village, we are filled with success stories. The organisation is well organized therefore, I haven't had any complaints.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The house that I was living in before was grass thatched. Though I had no choice but to endure due to financial constraints. I am a local businesswoman who specialises in selling vegetables and I am blessed with eight children. Therefore, I used all my second transfers on constructing a decent house for my family. I feel fulfilled as a parent knowing that my children have a decent place to call home.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home relaxing after several trips from the stream. When I overheard my neighbour saying that she had received cash from GiveDirectly. I immediately rushed and picked up my phone from the house, upon confirming I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received the money. I was so happy and grateful because I knew that I would be able to realise the goal that I had. I then informed my husband then embarked on planning.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfer is that I have enough milk for our daily consumption. I no longer buy milk daily meaning that I will be saving money. I also have peace of mind because I have enough foodstuffs in the house that would last for a while. I am so grateful for the support that impacted my living standard positively.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a consistent farmer and my husband sells chicken within and outside the village. Together we are blessed with eight children. Upon receiving my transfer, I prioritised purchasing a dairy cow to cut down on the cost of buying milk daily. I, therefore, used KES 37,000 in realising it. I then thought of stocking enough foodstuffs that would last for a while before the harvesting season, thus, I bought five bags of maize at KES 16,000. I am so happy that I have managed to realise this goal within a short period unlike before when I was unable to accomplish it due to financial constraints.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Imagine having 6 children and residing in a one-roomed house while carrying all household chores there. This is what I am currently facing. For this reason, I have no privacy with my husband and whenever visitors from far come, they do not have a place to sleep. Receiving this money means that I will spend KES 50000 to build a spacious house with three rooms. One room will be for my children, the other for us parents and the last one as the sitting room. This will provide us with secrecy as well as space to accommodate my children and visitors. For the rest of the transfer, I intend to buy dairy cattle.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My only dairy cattle calved 3 months ago. This brought joy into my life as she marked the end of my habit of purchasing milk. My children are also very happy as they have milk to take. The surplus milk I get also gives me some income as I have to sell them at our nearest market center.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The size of land that I am farming is 0.1 acres. This space is insufficient to cultivate crops that can sustain my family for a whole year. As a result, I am only able to grow short-seasoned crops like sweet potatoes, beans, and vegetables. As for maize which offers our staple food, I have to buy them regularly at KES 100 per 2kg. It pains me to feel that there is a chance I can be doing this for a foreseeable future.
