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 ($492 USD)
access_time almost 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 different than how it would have been because I now have several livestock like goats in my homestead. I have always been the dreaming to own them but due to high levels of poverty, I could not afford them. I settled for goats because we live in a semi-arid land which is a climate favorable to keeping goats. Also, goats normally reproduce twice a year and this will be an advantage to me because I am positive they will increase in number within the shortest time. My plan is when they multiply, I will sell the matured offspring and start some other lucrative businesses. I will be able to cater to my family's basic needs with ease like paying school fees for my kids on time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Give directly does perfectly well in my entire region by giving us the money and allowed planning for ourselves. Most of our lives have now improved and this is clearly seen by most of us who now own decent permanent houses from the temporary houses that we have been sharing on. In addition, I do not see any part that GiveDirecty failed and we are extremely grateful for this.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a huge part of the second transfer on buying livestock such as twenty-four goats at a total of KES 44050. These have been the well thoughtful assets that I have been yearning to keep in my compound but because of the financial hardships that I was facing, I could not afford to buy them. I am now gald becasue through them my life will greatly improve. To add to that, with the remaining amount of money, I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family, and at least we no longer skip meals like the way we used to do
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 AM when I heard a loud vibration from my phone. Upon checking, I realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy to have gotten this news. since I knew that I will benefit a lot from the financial support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
A lot has happened ever since I received my first transfer but the fact that I managed to buy goats has brought the biggest difference in my life. I opted to buy them because they take less time to mature and reproduce faster as compared to other domestic animals. Currently, some have started reproducing which makes me hopeful. My plan is when they multiply I will sell the matured offsprings and start some other projects ie businesses. From that point, I am optimistic that I will no longer strain in paying school fees for my children as before because I will be getting some good returns.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some iron sheets, nails timber. This was for the construction of a new house since the previous one was a small grass-thatched house which was so leaky whenever it rains. I also bought some goats as my living assets that I can always depend on if any emergency arises. With the reming amount, I am using it in buying enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire has been to change my livelihood to a better standard in terms of a good house and nice beddings, but this wish has never come through due to the financial challenges that I am facing. Receiving this money means a dream fulfilled since I plan to spend $300 to construct the house and $150 to buy the beddings. This will assure me of a better life since my life as of now is so miserable because my house is small and at the same time, I spend my nights on the floor using rugged sacks.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Getting time to rest after a long tiresome day is what can make me feel happy. I usually wake up very early in the morning to milk the cows before taking them to the bush to graze, where I spend the whole afternoon there. I only return home in the evening when I am exhausted but again it is at this time I get relaxed and take my dinner. Resting and taking my dinner makes me re-energized something that gives me a feeling of happiness. Thus, the evening becomes the happiest part of my day. the
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a herdsman, a job that earns me $40 per month and this income has never been enough to cater to my family's basic needs say: food, good housing, clothing, and school fees. This has forced me to engage in extra odd jobs like charcoal burning especially during my off days to supplement my little income. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced.
