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 ($467 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 new goal is to start a small shop business. This is because I have 2 years of experience in operating a small retail shop. I had a chance to do this career before I got married. With my knowledge, I will be able to earn an income that will aid in meeting immediate needs like food and clothing for the family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in sending cash directly to the poor households. In addition, the officers enrolled every household without discrimination. According to how the organization conducted the enrollment process I feel that there is nothing that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I invested KES 24,000 of the most recent transfer on purchasing 6 goats. This was to start livestock rearing a future investment for my child's education. For a couple of years now, I had dreamed of owning livestock but I lacked the finances. In addition, I bought 7 iron sheets which Intend to improve the condition of my house by constructing an additional room. Currently, I am inhabiting a small one-roomed house that is not enough to fully accommodate our items. I was remaining with KES 8,000 to assist me in my daily needs like food and water.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9:10 AM when I was heading to my daily hustle when my phone started ringing. I was so curious since I was not expecting to receive a message from anyone at that time. Therefore I opted to check who it could be only to realize that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and I couldnt afford to work that particular day. I went back home and shared the news and I remember saying a special prayer together with my family because we knew God had seen us through and we wud be able to acquire the valuable assets that we have been yearning to have.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For many years, it has always been my dream to own a goat bit because of financial difficulties, this was not possible. I, therefore, bought the goats because the climatic condition in my location s favorable for them to thrive without any obstacles. To add to that they require minimal supervision and reproduce twice a year as compared to the other domestic animals. I expect that by the time my son will be transitioning to secondary school in the coming years, they will have multiplied. I will be in a position to sell some of the offspring and cater for his school fees. Apart from that, I will be able to fend for y family without struggling also I will be able to take care of any kind of financial emergency in my household. I feel owning the goats will be a relief to us because my spouse and I have been running up and down to make the ends meet and sometimes it was so tough for us. Therefore this makes me believe that having the goats will transform my life and that of my family which also makes the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock more than four goats at a total of KES14000. I have been longing to at least own one but I couldn't afford it because they were very expensive and the income I could get from the casual jobs was very low. I stelled for goats becasue the climatic condition of my region is favorable and their pasture is readily available therefore I believe they will multiply in a short period. Also, I boosted my business (selling vegetables and foodstuff) in the village since it was almost collapsing and this was my only source of income. I later bought new uniforms and cleared school fees of KES 5000 for my son who is still in primary school. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means I will be able to own my grocery. It has been my desire to start a grocery in the village because the market of such commodities in the village is good. I am planning to use KES. 30,000 to start a grocery in the village. The drought in my area has made it impossible to get vegetable in the farms. People have resorted to buying vegetable from the nearest trading center. This has created a gap in the supply of vegetable in the village meaning starting my own grocery will enable me tap all the village people thus making handsome profits. I will use a further KES 20,000 to but goats because they can survive well in my village. I will further save whatever remains to educate my daughter when she starts schooling next year.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day because I take a rest during the afternoon hours unlike in the morning and evening where I find myself in the forest burning charcoal.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of income to meet my basic needs and those of my household. The charcoal burning occupation I engage in is not sustainable because I only get peanuts from the sale of charcoal. Due to the harsh economic conditions brought about by the draught in my area, my charcoal customers have reduced and I can only manage to sell 3 90kgs bags of charcoal at KES 600 each. In addition to this, charcoal burning is energy draining and makes me exhausted everyday.
