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 ($460 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
When I received the first transfers I started building my house, but unfortunately I had to put a pause on it because I ran out of the money. That is why when I received the second transfers I decided that I was going to finish building my house and this is because the previous house that was living in was quite small and almost on the verge of collapsing.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
It would have almost taken forever before I ever managed to build myself a proper house and that is why I am very grateful for the organization because It sped up the process for me and I'm honestly very content and I praise it for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As I had mentioned prior, I used the first transfers to start building my house but unfortunately when I couldn't finish building it so when I received the money a second time but I decided to continue with the construction.
I went ahead and bought 30 pieces of iron sheets for KES 30,000, 22 bags of cement for KES 15,400 and then managed to pay the labourer KES 7,000 and use the rest of the money on transporting the items.
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?
Being a farmer, I usually take the cows out for grazing. I was just from the daily routine and was having a restful afternoon in the house when I heard my phone buzzing. On checking the text message, I saw an MPESA text from GiveDirectly and the balance had increased. I was so happy and thankful. I withdrew the funds one week later and put it to good use.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
GiveDirectly has greatly improved the living conditions as now I am able to pipe fresh water to my homestead and also I am now able to build a much bigger house to contain my family comfortably.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the KSH 55000 received, I was able to improve the outlook of my house. I withdrew and used KSH 22000 for purchase of stones and also pay the transport cost using the same. For an improved piping system, I used KSH 11000 to buy some rollers and taps for installation. A further KSH 22000, was saved up to be used to pay for the labour costs for the whole construction.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My house is very small and my sons are growing old now. My first son is 12 years of age and we are still living and sleeping in one bedroom.Its very shameful and disrespectful act according to my culture but my financial status could not allow me to build a bigger house. I am doing a charcoal burning business and my husband was employed as a shepherd by our neighbor, earning a salary of KES 4,000 per month. I was longing for the Givedirectly organization to reach our village so that I get their support to change my life. I will spend the first transfer to build 3 extra rooms and use the second transfer to buy a high breed cow for milk. I believe my farm has plenty of grass and I will benefit from selling milk and hence I will boast my family's revenue.
What is the happiest part of your day?
This Christmas gave me joy and happiness. My husband was gifted with a live goat for the Christmas celebration by his boss where he works as a shepherd. We celebrated the Christmas . We ate rice with goat . It brought joy and happiness because the last time I enjoyed this meal is during our wedding which occured about 13 years back.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest challenge in my house. I do not have food in my farm. The 3 years drought dried all the plants and therefore I have to depend on casual labour in the building sector which are hard to get and also depend on my husband's salary which cannot sustain the needs of my house.
