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 ($490 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 it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have build a better house for my children. I do small scale farming and the amount of money that I get through the sell of the surplus maize is so small. I was not in a position to buy building materials to build a better house for them. My children could sleep in a small house. They were not comfortable and because I had no more to build a another house they no option but to live in that house. When I receive the second transfer I bought the building material and started building a better house for them. Currently they are so happy because their living condition have improved. They have a good place to sleep and even do their homework comfortably. I have piece of mind now, I no longer get stress up because I know they my children are happy. I have devoted much of my time on my farm which I could have used in doing other casual jobs. 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 doses well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money I received from GiveDirectly to build a house for my children and the rest of the money I used it to buy a heifer and household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on 17th December at 2pm and I was taking lunch and that was when I heard a message beep. I thought it was call back message as I mostly receive call back messages but upon checking it, it was an MPESA message from Segovia Technologies and I was very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had a lot of school fees arrears and the transfer really helped me clear the arrears. My children have been able to go to school without me having to worry where to get the money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid school fees for my two children who are in school and bought cushions and mattresses for my household.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I shall be relieved of the tiresome task of fetching freshwater from a spring that is situated almost 3 kilometers from home. I have been doing this daily since 1991 when I got married. Currently, I am feeling tired and aged. So, I will purchase a large water tank for storing rainwater. I could have bought a water tank before, but life has been tough since I am a widow without any reliable source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of the day is in the evening when I have completed my scheduled farming activities. Ensuring that I accomplish each task is beneficial to us since I am the only breadwinner and parent to my kids.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my husband when we were married for three years only. He succumbed to stomach ulcers and related complications. As such, I have had to handle all the duties and responsibilities of a parent; educating, feeding, providing, and caring for my children. Unfortunately, I have no reliable source of income yet the harsh climatic conditions in our area render my subsistence farming efforts fruitless. All in all, I have done my best and only one of my four children yet to complete grade 12. Hence, losing my husband when we were newly married serves as the biggest challenge I have faced.
