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 ($485 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The transfer has changed my life because I would still be living in my old grass thatched house were it not for the transfers. I am currently sheltering in a new decent and iron roofed house because of the transfers. I managed to upgrade to a better house after many years of living in house that was small and in a bad shape. In addition to this, I am also owning a dairy cow which I am expecting it to reproduce and have many of them. I can readily sell the offsprings to cater for my children's education. This is an asset to me which I can readily rely on in case of a financial need. I will also be selling milk for an income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving us the unconditional transfers in order to uplift our living standards. We were in poverty and we were struggling with even the very basic necessities to life like good shelter. Our region is semi arid, mainly depending on farming which has failed us on several occasions. The transfers helped us to fulfil the things that seemed impossible to us, like building decent houses. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20000 of the second transfer on purchasing some building materials to finish the construction of my new house. I resolved to build a new house because my previous house was in a very bad state. It was almost collapsing and I did not have enough financial resources to renovate it. I am happy that I managed to buy the remaining materials and its now finished. In addition to this, I also took KES 19000 to buy a dairy cow which I am expecting it to reproduce and have many of them. I am planning to sell the offspring to raise fees for my children. I spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and did a shopping on new clothes for myself and my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning and I had just woken up. I heard a message notification in my phone at around 0600Hrs and when I checked my phone, it was the transfers message. I was very very happy. I am truly thankful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now able to build a bigger house for my family. A more spacious house that will be sufficient for my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to build a bigger house for my family. I have two children and my husband is a Tuk tuk driver. We live in a one-roomed house that is quite small for us. I bought materials for building a house so we could finally own a bigger and more spacious house. There was nowhere else that we could get such an amount of money
to build a bigger house. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been struggling to raise a living in my family after my business collapsed when I spent the little capital I had on my medication. Receiving this money to me means I got another chance in life. I am planning to restart my business and once I got it running again, I will be assured of better income that can help me meet my family basic needs and other goals.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening just after taking my supper. As a mother my happiness is seeing a happy and healthy family. I feel good at this part of my day since I can relax and take a rest after I have given my family their daily bread.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The hardest hardship I have ever faced in my life is being diagnosed with a chronic hilliness. I spent months and financial resources I had to get better. I am happy that I survived the hilliness but I have been left hopeless without resources to bounce back to my business.
