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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 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 if I never received the transfers in that I have build a better and spacious house. I used to live in a small house which could not host all the family comfortably. I depend on small business and the money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family including paying school fees for my children. I was not able to save some money to build a better house. Currently I have build a better house and my children are so happy because they have their own rooms where they can do assignment without any disturbance. Whenever I have visitors I no longer get stress up on where to host them. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy water tanks. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on completing the construction that I had started using the previous transfer. I am so happy because now I own a new spacious house. I also added stock to my business of a retail shop. The rest of the money I bought food for the family and a goat. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has enabled us to own assets which could have taken quite some time to get.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy when I received the money and I even called my daughter who stays in Bomet town to tell her about the transfer and she was also very happy and told me to spend it wisely.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have a small business which I sell maize and the business has really improved. Other recipients come to buy maize and potatoes from my shop which I have now rented and profits have grown. I did not know I would be able to own a bigger house this soon since I could not afford building another house and still provide for my two children since I am a single mother.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the money to build a house since the one I had was smaller. I spent part of the money to plough half an acre of land, bought 2 goats and bought solar battery and bulbs. I also bought clothes and food for my family who are now very happy. I also expanded my maize business.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been aspiring to practise livestock keeping but due to financial constrains, this dream has not materialised. Therefore, receiving this money mean I will be able to fulfill my dream of owning a cow and goats. I am planning to spend Kenya shillings 20,000 to buy a dairy cow and Kenya shillings 10,000 to buy 4 goats. My projection is to milk at least 7 litres of milk per day in which I will sell 5 litres at kenya shillings 30 per litre and use 2 litres for domesctic consumption. This will bring a financial relief in my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I am a single mother, I start my day early in the morning by doing the routine household chores before embarking on my grocery business during mid morning. I do my grocery business in the nearby shopping centre and normally takes almost the entire day until late in the evening (around 7 pm). Evening is the happiest part of my day owing to the fact that this is the only free time I have to rest and chat my with daughter.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is inadequacy of finance. I am currently doing grocery business in the nearby centre where I get a profit of Kenya shillings 200 a day which is not enough to cater for my daughter and I and/or even save the rest. Dairy farming tend to do well in our region and my plan is practice it in the near future through the grants that I may get from Give Directly.
