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 over 2 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 different now than it would have been if I never received the transfer, The house that I was living in before was very old, one side of the wall had crashed down, I was using plastic bags to cover the open space, life was so unbearable, I was living together with my wife and our seven children, I didn't have a choice due to my little income from my casual job, The transfer came as a relief because I was able to build a decent house with It, my life is different now because I can proudly say that I have a home, Indeed the organisation was God sent in that they rescued me from poverty. I am humbled and grateful for the support that brought joy and happiness to our lives
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is doing good work, the program is well organised, all of us were treated well with respect, I don't see anything that is done wrongly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a masonry though a casual labourer, My income is not reliable because our work is not consistent, My house was in a bad shape, it was very old in that one side had crashed down, hence we were covering it with a plastic bag, this was very embarrassing but we had to bear with it due to financial constraint, The transfer came as a big relief because I was able to build a decent house for my family, I used KES 29200. Am grateful for the support that changed my living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($508 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 10am when I was in the hospital nursing my 6th child who had malaria. I received a loud message alert in my phone. Being illiterate, my child confirmed to me that it was my transfer. I felt very happy knowing that I will accomplish my dream of improving my career.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My livestock rearing job has improved after purchasing two more cows. I am rest assured that I will be able to meet the educational needs of my 7 children after they multiply.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As a livestock farmer my plan was to improve my farming. I spent my transfer to purchase 2 cows for $340 . This is my future investment for my family I will be able to sell the when they multiply to educate my children. The remaining amount assisted me to seek medical care for my wife who was expectant and had a complications. As a result of this problem she passed away with the unborn baby and Givedirectly fund help me to laid them to rest.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire has been to construct a decent house for my family because the one I am living in is so congested and it can not accommodate us plus our belongings. This is so because it is used as a granary as well as a kitchen something that makes it smoky and I do not enjoy this kind of life. I have been trying so hard to ensure I build a separate house for my children but again this has been impossible too. With the arrival of GiveDirectly to our village, I am a happy person after learning that, soon I will have the opportunity to construct a decent house that will accommodate us well; to achieve this, I intend to spend utmost 50000 shillings. On the other hand, I also plan to buy an oxen and ox plough using 35000 shillings to upscale my farming which at the moment, I use traditional methods like hoes. This will assure me of a better life that I have wished for a long time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The nature of my job requires me to spend the better part of the day at the bush. This is so because say; charcoal burning and sisal preparation, these jobs are very time consuming and energy-draining such that I usually feel so exhausted during the day. It is only in the evening when I find more time to rest and share a meal with my children something that makes me feel so happy. Therefore, the evening becomes the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is a casual laborer and his monthly income is very little and inconsistent. This has forced me to engage in some income-generating activities to supplement his earning. These jobs are like charcoal burning and selling of sisal ropes that earn me very little as well because they are time consuming and energy draining. Therefore, I consider the lack of a stable source of income as my biggest hardship.
