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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different because I have some livestock to depend on in case of any financial need. I also managed to replace my old bedding with a new mattress and a new bed. I am now sleeping comfortably. I also built an extension of a single room to my house so as to accommodate my children since my house was not spacious. They won't be troubled to seek shelter elsewhere at night.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in uplifting our living standards by enabling us to build new house and taking our children to school. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of the second transfer on buying a cow which I am currently keeping in my homestead. I am expecting it to reproduce and have many of them. Besides, I will also be getting milk for my family's consumption and I can even sell the surplus and earn an income. I also paid for my children's school fees. Lastly, I bought foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I was keeping livestock for many years until 2016 when there was a severe drought. My livestock did not survive the situation. From that time I did not own any until the coming of GiveDirectly. To me, owning livestock is the biggest difference in my daily life. I could not have acquired this livestock if I were to buy at my own cost. I am grateful to them for at least I have assets to lean on in case of any financial challenges.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received a message on my phone at 10 pm. When I checked who the sender was, I was overwhelmed with joy on realizing that It was a notification message from Give Directly that I had finally received my first transfer. I was excited because, through this money, I would change my beddings and also buy some assets that I can lean on in case of a financial challenge.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of the transfer to buy a cow and a bull at KES 28000. To me, they are the assets which will help me in case of financial needs. In addition to this, I also replaced my beddings with a new mattress for it was old and worn out. I purchased a new wooden bed and the mattress and I now sleep comfortably unlike before. I also bought some building poles for the renovation of my house. It was nearly collapsing due to the several cracks on it. The money enabled me also to buy these materials which I could not buy at my own cost. Lastly, I bought some foodstuffs for my family on the remaining amount as well as paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being in a polygamous household of four wives, with twenty-five children, the direst need after food is proper housing. All of us live under the same roof, and it will remain that way because of the strong bond and good relationship we have with each other. Since we are all enrolled in the program, we have agreed to combine our transfers and work towards a common goal. Firstly, we are going to improve our house; the one we are currently living in is tiny and congested. In so doing, each one of us is going to contribute ksh 20,000 for expansion. For the huge part of our transfers, we are going to purchase a plot in the nearby shopping center and build residential houses. This will earn us an income that will be beneficial to the family in future. And that is basically what receiving this money means to us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For me, I live each day as it comes. Every morning I wake worrying about where my children are going to get their next meal. And as a result, I spend most part of the day at the shopping center looking for casual jobs that can enable me to get food for the children. In the evening, am less worried mainly because in most I return home with some food. It gives my children a lot of joy when they have something to eat. This is what makes my evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of adequate resources has been the biggest hardship in life. In total, we are a family of thirty and on a normal day, we consume more than eight kilograms of flour, of which our annual maize yield cannot sustain. Thus we are forced to purchase from shops, something that is costly considering our husband does not have any job. We survive through casual jobs, which are hard to come by. As a result of this, our children have dropped out of school, and some have entered into early marriages due to frustration. We feel relieved now that a household that had turned into a laughing stock, is going to be close to half a million richer in the next two months or so.
