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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
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?
A lot has happened ever since I received the transfer but the fact that I managed to pay school fees for my grandchildren makes the biggest difference in my life. Before the coming of GiveDirectly, they used to be sent home and stay for weeks. This is because their mother who is my daughter was a single parent and jobless. Therefore they have been depending on well-wishers for school fees and sometimes they lacked. This made them miss important exams which lead to poor performance. I am now a happy soul because they now at school without any interference.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by sending the money directly to our mobile phone. I feel this minimized the case of bribery and theft. Also, the money was unconditional we were allowed to choose how we would wish to spend the money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying enough foodstuffs for my family. Previously we used to take a single meal or sometimes go without. Also with the remaining amount of money, I saved it for my grandson who will be joining form one next year I never had the chance to go do school neither my children and my wish is to see my grandchildren getting good education and I see it happening courtesy of GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 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 seven in the mornng when my phone started ringing continuously, this was so unusual Without wawsing time, I decided to check who it could be. After checking, I realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first transfer as they had promised. I was so happy because I knew my life would finally change.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest differnce in my daily life is that I now have enough foodstuffs in my household. Before GiveDirectly came into our lives we were malnourished because we we could not afford a proper meal. We could at times sleep hungry or take a single meal in a day. I am now a happy parent because my children can at least take two meals a day and they are becoming healthy day by day.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some beddings which include, a bed and mattress. These were to replace the traditional beds that I was using as beddings for all those years. I later bought four goats as my well thoughtful assets that I can lean on. In addition, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family that would last three months.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"My ambition has been to have a decent house but due to financial problems, this dream has not been fulfilled. I am an elderly widow who depends on my grandchild who does casual jobs, at our nearby center and these jobs earn little amounts that can cater for the needs of our daily basis. This is the reason as to why they have failed to construct me the house. I am planning to spend 80,000 shillings buildings spacious house. Other than that, I will use the extra amount to purchase beddings. I have been using local beds made of ropes which are uncomfortable."
What is the happiest part of your day?
"The most happiest part of the day is in the morning. It is at this time when I am able to do my chores before the sunshine which inconvenience."
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
"My biggest hardship is lack of good source of income. I depend on my grandchildren who does casual jobs which earns them 200 shillings per day. This amount is only enough to cater for our basic needs like food twice in a day."
