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 ($442 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to purchase a piece of land for myself since the area we are currently living in is communally owned and I lacked the right of ownership. In addition, most community-owned land is associated with very bad land disputes. Owning will ensure that I have some long-term investments for future generations.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly did well for enrolling every household without discrimination based on tribal or ethnic group. In addition, living the opportunity for the beneficiaries to decide on how to use the transfer was a great thing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 31,000 to purchase 20 tonnes of building stones, this was for renovating my house to a more permanent one using stones. The one I had earlier was made up of mad walls which are less durable and required frequent maintenance since they are washed down during the rainy season. Furthermore, I spent KES 10,000 to purchase a strong metallic door since I had no main door and our household commodities were at risk of theft. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient foodstuffs for the family because we did not have enough food because of the drought that we had been experiencing for more than 1 year.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home busy with the house chores when I received my transfer, I can vividly recall that I heard my phone ringing, and upon checking I saw a Mpesa notification message showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly. It was the happiest day in my life, words cannot express the immense joy and happiness that I felt. This is because I knew that we would be able to transform my life with the money that I had received. I am grateful for the support that gave us an opportunity for us to change our lives.
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 was able to connect clean tap water to our home. We no longer move up and down in pursuit of clean water. I was unable to realise this dream before due to financial constraints. I am so happy that finally, I have achieved the goal, I am forever indebted for the support that lifted my life amazingly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I enrolled in a tailoring course to enhance my skills in sewing clothes. I am married and blessed with two children. my husband works at a bakery in a nearby secondary school. Upon receiving my transfer, my husband and I opted to connect tap water to our house. This is because of the shortage of clean water in the coastal region. Thus I used KES 15,000 on connection. Secondly, I used KES 13,000 on putting up a steel door for security purposes. Lastly, I used KES 8000 on school fees for my children. Words cannot express the immense joy that I felt. I am thankful for the great milestone in our lives.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As you can see, my house is unfinished. We still have some touch up to do so that's it's comfortable to be in. My husband thinks that KES 20,000 will enable us to do this. We are eagerly waiting for these transfers. I cannot wait to have a beautiful house. Because we shall have someone left, school fees will be paid for our twins as we await the second transfer.
With the second transfer, I would like to open a water-selling business right here at home. That will generate income as well as help us access water for use easily.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Late last year, my husband secured a stable job. It had been so long since he worked. He tried self-employment here in the village but the business came tumbling down so fast due to a lack of customers. He used to bake bread for sale but the sales didn't move as fast as we expected. Now that he is employed, I'm glad he can provide for us and he is also very happy at his new job.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband works in Kilifi as a baker, only comes home a few times a month. My twin children go to a nearby school. When I am done preparing them and doing my house chores, I have nothing to do till evening when they come back. I get so bored with the idle time. I would like to enroll in a tailoring course so that I can start a shop and boost our income.
