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 ($461 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I intended on using the funds that I had received to ensure that I had to pay tuition fee for my child because I had a huge debt.I also wanted to ensure that I bought a few farm animals specifically a cow so that it could help me during the farming season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly has done a lot of good more than harm especially because I can clearly see the change in my day-to-day life. For instance using the first transfers I bought the farm animals that I needed and I paid tuition fee for my child. Life has been a bit more easy as compared to before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As soon as I received the second round of the funds I decided that I was going to finish up on my house since I had already started building it. I ended using KES 20000 to buy more iron sheets cement, sand and timber because the house also needed plastering and completion of the roofing. Afterwards I used KES 3000 to pay tuition fee for my child and then I used the rest of the funds or nutrition that was a challenge from time to time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 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 around 2pm in the afternoon and I was just relaxing at home when I received the text message confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I knew that it would give me a step forward especially in getting my own land to be carrying out agricultural activities with freedom. This was because I used to lease the land I used to be farming which was only limited to the seasonal maize farming and not any other thing, as my job as a local food café waitress hardly paid me sufficient salary to help me buy my own land. Therefore, I am so happy and grateful for this help I received from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I took a very huge ste forward in my life. I am so grateful that I got all the things I wanted to have especially the land, bed and livestock. I used to sleep on the mud floor but I currently sleep comfortably on a proper bed and mattress, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 35000 on buying an acre of land for farming because I didn't have one before and I used to lease which was both expensive and inconveniencing as it was only limited to the seasonal maize farming. There was no freedom in leasing land, since there couldn't be continuous farming or growing of various durable and long term crops and plants, like cassava and cashewnuts which are relatively drought tolerant and particularly do well in this dry climate of our area. I couldn't afford to buy myself this land that I desired because my job as a local food café waitress hardly raised enough to enable me get it. Therefore, I am so happy to have this land that I now own and have the freedom to plant and grow the crops and plants of my own choice without interference from anyone.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved standard of living for the family. I am planning to achieve this through livestock farming. I will spend KES 30,000 to buy 10 indigenous goats which do well in our area. As the goats multiply, I will sell at a profit and cater for my household needs such as food, paying school fees and stationary.
I will also use part of the remaining amount to start a kiosk and increase our household income. Currently I depend entirely on my husband's salary who earns KES 3000 per month which is not enough for all domestic needs. The business will enable me to earn a profit of KES 200 per day which is sufficient for a family of 3 members. The remaining amount will be savings for the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month I received relief food donation from the National government. I received 5 kgs of maize and 5 kgs of beans which took me for a week. This brought me joy and happiness because I had a relief and peace of mind due to availability of food for my family. It also helped me to save the money that I could have spent to buy food for that week.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is lack of money to cater for all our basic needs. I am a house wife depending on my husband who works at food kiosk. He earns a salary of KES 3000 which is too little to address all the basic necessities for the a family of 3 Members. In a day I require KES 200 to be able to feed on three meals. Due to this, it has been difficult to live a better life whereby I am feeding well. Sometimes, I am forced to borrow food from neighbors which is embarrassing.
