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?
My life is now different because the transfers have boosted my maize farming from planting a half acre of maize to two acres. The proceeds from maize farming will aid in venturing into sheep farming because they thrive very fast in our place and very marketable.The transfers have also motivated me to invest more in farming because I had lost hope after maize disease attacking our maize.The transfers have also made my family to grow more healthier and happier.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I commend GiveDirectly for helping us because our place is marked by long dry spells. In my opinion they should have extended the aid for another month.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer as follows; purchase of Ironsheets, maize farming, debt repayment and medical expenses, chainlink fence and the rest on food and household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy to see an Mpesa message on my phone when I woke up in the morning. I cannot describe the kind of happiness I had, I celebrated with my children after receiving the good news. With the money, I saw my dreams had come true, I was now going to be able to plant like the rest of the people in the village and my family was going to get a new house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference that this money is going to bring is that my family is now going to live in a new house that is free from smoke. We will also be able to collect rainwater and hence we will have water to use. The farming will enable me to get food for my family and I can sell some of the products to get money. With the income from farming, I will be able to improve the life of my family, and hence there will be no poverty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly has helped me a lot in my farming activities and I have also been able to buy iron sheets for my house that I am going to build. It is planting season in my village and I did not have money to buy seeds and fertilizer. The money has helped me to buy the inputs and now I am going on with the planting. I have also been able to buy iron sheets and other materials that I will use to build the house. I have always wanted to build a new house for my family because we have been living in a grass-thatched house for so long. The house is not that conducive and comfortable to live in because it is always full of smoke and the clothes also get smoke when there is fire. With the new house that is roofed with iron sheets, I can collect rainwater, and my family and I will have a conducive environment to sleep and relax.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wished to build a more spacious iron-roofed house but this plan has never materialized due to lack of finances. I have 2 school-going children, one in secondary school and the other in college. The 3-acre piece of land that I cultivate maize in is no longer productive due to prolonged drought in this region hence I spend all the money I earn from selling the 4 bags of maize in paying school fees. Receiving this money will therefore enable me to build the house using $300. I also intend to spend $500 to buy sheep and goats that will be my store of wealth since I will be selling them after they multiply to fulfill my family necessities.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is always during the morning hours. Waking up feeling energetic is always a motivation for me to plan my day adequately.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Access to food Security due to prolonged droughts in this region is the biggest hardship we face in my family. The harvests from my 3-acre piece of land (4 bags) are barely enough to take us through the next harvest season considering that I sell three bags for school fees and remain with only 1 bag for family consumption.
