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 ($491 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 it would have been if I had never received the transfer in that I was able to start goats rearing job with my transfer with some of them about to reproduce. I use to depend on charcoal vending activity for our up keep. This job could not earn me enough income to fully meet our basic needs like food and saving for any financial emergency.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well by sending us unconditional cash transfer to the poor households. This helped to uplift our living standard in our community something that we have never imagined in our life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my second transfer to purchase 8 goats at 3,600 each. Also, I used half of the remaining amount to pay hire man power to assist me in the preparation of my farm. The other half assisted my to purchase enough food supply and clothes for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 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 3 pm when I was taking lunch with my family then my phone started ringing. I asked my son to check who it could be. Upon checking I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly, I was overwhelmed with joy for I knew that I will achieve a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having goats in my compound has brought the biggest difference in my life. I settled on purchasing them because they reproduce very fast and their offsprings take less time to mature. Also, they take minimal supervision as compared to other domestic animals. Currently, some have started reproducing which makes me hopeful and happier because I am sure they will increase in number in a very short period of time. My plan is when they multiply, I will exchange some for a dairy cow since purchasing one is very expensive. I will earn a lot from the cow including the plenty liters of milk which I will be supplying to the nearby markets and earn a living. Also, the remaining liters will be for my family's consumption. Therefore this makes me believe that very soon I will no longer struggle in meeting my family's basic needs as before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some beddings such as a new bed, a mattress, and bedsheets. This was to replace the old mats and traditional beds. I also bought some livestock which includes four goats. These will serve as the living assets that I will lean on just in case of any financial difficulties. With the remaing amount of money, I am using it in buying enough foodstuffs and decent clothes for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always desired to sleep in a good bed with a high-density mattress, but due to financial problems I have not been able to buy . When I receive the transfers I will use 25,000 Kenya Shillings to buy the bed and mattress.My current beddings are in bad condition which sometimes forces me to sleep on the floor. I also intend to use 40,000 Kenya shillings to buy 12 goats which I will sell when in need. The remaining amount will be used to buy some basic needs such as food and clothes for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a charcoal vendor, I usually move far distances searching for the charcoal trees as well as market when ready for sale. This job needs a lot of energy which makes me tired at the end of the day. When it reaches evening I rest and share meals with my family. Evening is therefore the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as charcoal vendor whereby I usually sell ten sacks of charcoal per month. The income I get from this business is 5,000 per month which is not enough to cater for other basic needs like food, clothes and bedding. Financial crisis is the biggest hardship in my life.
