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 ($523 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has really changed as compared to how I lived before. Now I am happy that I sent my son to college without any stress neither bothering anyone for financial support.
This was one of my biggest dreams in life since I value education as the key for better life.
I renovated the floor of my house that was of mud and dusty. This has reduced the danger of jiggers infestations that had at one time attacked us.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has proven that poverty can be managed given an opportunity of economic empowerment. People speak with dignity, walk with courage and smile with hope. It is good stories all over in this community. The power to make decisions that GiveDirectly gave to the recipients is a true liberation from the bondage of poverty. People eat well and no longer complain of malnutrition related ailments. I doubt if there is something that GiveDirectly never did well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the second transfer on paying school fees for my son who joined college. The doors of the world are open to those who can read and I know by giving my son quality education, he will eventually be in a better position to compete for the job opportunities. This is a great investment as well that gives me hope for the future. I spent some part of the transfer to renovate my house that now looks smart and free from jiggers infestations. The remaining part was spent to construct a pit latrine for improvement in health and sanitation. I no longer sneak into bushes to ease myself when pressed.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($540 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I managed to build a permanent latrine. I am glad that I will not built it again unlike before I had a temporary one.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so good and started planning on what to purchase since I did not know that I would get such a lumpsum amount of money which I could freely use without repaying.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on building a permanent latrine because I had a temporary one. Part of the money went on food that we ate as a family and gave my wife some amount. I also cemented my house so as to avoid smearing most of the time which is normally hectic and finally built a kitchen coop hoping to start poultry farming so as to get income out of it.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to start local paultry farming in large scale and fence my compound using wiremesh so that I can have my chicken move freely in my compound. I will spend part of the remaining amount on building a toilet as currently I do not have one.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I clean my compound through sweeping and cutting grass. This makes me happy because I love staying in a clean home and I want to maintain it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face in my life is that I lost my job and I have a lot of projects that I had not completed including finishing the construction of my house.
