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 ($457 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?
My new goal is to start a new business. I plan to start a shop keeping business in a nearby centre next to my home. Currently I rely on odd casual jobs like digging pit latrine in order to make income. This job is strenuous and gives very little income at the end of the day. It is for this reason that I am thinking about starting a new business in a nearby centre that will help me make more income. Currently I am on a savings plan towards actualizing this goal.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well in enrolling everyone without any form of biasness whatsoever. This gave all the residents an equal opportunity to benefit from the program.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used all of my recent transfer to build a new house. I had managed to save some amount from the first transfer and I combined with the second transfer to build a bigger and better house from the first that I owned. I had for a long time stayed in a very small grass thatched house that could not provide me with the much needed comfort. I could not be in a position to build a new one too since I depend entirely on casual work to raise income which gives me just enough for food. I am so happy that GiveDirectly has enabled me build a more permanent, more decent house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was 6 am and I was still in my bed, sleeping when suddenly my phone rang hence jolting me from my sleep. I woke up and I reached out for my phone to check what the SMS was all about. I was surprised and I could not believe my eyes when I read that I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy on seeing this piece of wonderful news that I immediately lost sleep. I went out and I met with my brother who was also happy and celebrating because he had also received the transfer. I joined the celebration and we thanked God and GiveDirectly for blessing us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that the transfer has brought into my life is that with having bought the cow, I no longer incur the cost of buying milk. I also no longer go out to do casual jobs to earn a living since I am busy looking after my cow. I get my income from the sale of milk. I usually supply 2 liters in the morning to one of my neighbors and he pays me at the end of the month. In the evening, I also sell 2 liters but on retail. The money that I get from the sales usually helps me in buying essential household items such as sugar, tea leaves, etc. My life has thus changed for the better and I am no longer poor like before. This is all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 of my recent transfer on buying a cow. I bought the cow because I didn't have one. I hence usually incur the cost of buying milk. I have also been renting out my piece of land to one of my neighbors for his cow to graze on it. It has always been my desire to have a cow of my own but due to a lack of money, I have not been in a position to buy one. I do not have a stable source of income and hence I have been depending on casual jobs to earn a living. The money that I get is little and it is only enough to buy food and milk. There is hence nothing to save. Other than the above, I also bought seven iron sheets at a total cost of KES 5950 and I used them to construct a cowshed. This way I will not be rained on when milking the cow. With the remaining transfer amount, I spent it on buying some things that were missing in my household. I bought three tables at KES 1400 per table. I also bought a hand sprayer machine at KES 1850, clothes, some utensils, a pair of shoes, and some beddings, that is, a mattress, three blankets, and a bedsheet. I am thus so much grateful to GiveDirectly for their support.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am now 43 years old and not yet married. This has been disturbing me since I would like to get married and raise children because this is the normal routine in my culture. Unfortunately, living in extreme poverty has hindered me from establishing my family on time. I usually handle odd jobs, including weeding and digging pit latrines within my vicinity to gain some income (about KES 200 daily) for financing my basic needs. In that regard, receiving this money means that I am going to turn over a new leaf in my life. I will purchase three cattle using approximately KES 60000. I will utilize two of the cattle as dowry and raise the other one to provide us with milk for consumption and sale of any surpluses. I feel blessed to benefit from this grant.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have been sleeping on the dusty floor of my house for several years since I could not afford a bed. Luckily, I managed to acquire a bed last month using some savings (KES 3200) that I had made. Nowadays I feel healthier and safer because I am enjoying a better sleep away from the dusty floor.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a casual laborer working within my vicinity, job scarcity and unsatisfactory remuneration are the biggest hardships that I am facing. This occupation is also tedious, hence demanding lots of perseverance. I am worried that in the future I might get worn out and fail to adequately fend for my family.
