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 ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to start a grocery business at the nearby market centre when I got some capital. This will be my reliable source of income since my job of charcoal vending is very tiresome, time-consuming, and low-paying. On average, I earn KES 1500 per month. With this income, meeting our basic needs has been a great struggle. I had wished to own a new job but I lacked the capital.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in conducting a baraza before the actual enrollment which give us a chance for every villager to ask questions about the program. Furthermore, the officers treated us politely. There is nothing that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25,000 to clear the fee arrears for my child who had just joined secondary school. In addition, I spent KES 10,000 to pay part of the primary school fee arrears. I bought one goat for 3,500 a long-term investment for my family. I used the remaining amount for our daily upkeep since my husband is sick, old and jobless.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While washing my children clothes in the morning at around 8am, my phone vibrated. Being an illiterate mother, I requested my husband who is also my helper to check on it. With a smiling face he looked at me and I wondered why. Thereafter he told me that I had received the KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. I was so excited such that am not sure where I rinsed the children clothes or I just went to hung them on the line to dry.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially my family had some difficulties in getting daily meals. For them to take breakfast, lunch and supper was a nightmare due to the hardship we were passing through. As at now, my children are happy since daily food is a guarantee thus living happily and they are now healthy. Before GiveDirectly we had some cases of malnutrition due to lack of balanced diet but for now we are singing hallelujah because we are all in good health.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After having a lengthy discussion with my husband, we decided to buy 14 pieces of iron sheets for KES 11900.00 so that we can build a new house for our son who is in college so that when he comes home he will have a house to sleep in rather than seeking for shelter from friends. The remaining amount is yet to be spent though we are planning to buy some livestock for KES 20000.00, a bed and a mattress, pay school fees for our primary child who is in class 5 and save the rest for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means a descent and a safer house for my family. We currently stay in an old house with a leaking roof and damaged windows. Moreover, the walls are now weak meaning the house might collapse anytime. This is very risky in as far as the security of my family members is concerned. I am planning to use KES 50,000 to renovate my house to a better standard. This will give me the peace I have always desired. I will use the balance to pay for my children school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. Waking up in the morning alive and healthy makes me happy. Seeing my children in the morning healthy even makes me happier.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship in my life has been prolonged headache. I have been experiencing constant headaches for over a decade now. I have managed to visit several hospitals without any hope of getting out of this. This has really affected my productivity both at home and in the forest.
