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 ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the time of my enrolment, my main goal was to build a new house. Once I completed that goal, I came up with a new plan for doing a poultry project. It does not require heavy investment and being that I am around, I shall be able to look at it by myself. From the poultry project, I look forward to raising layers for eggs production. Through this, I shall be able to get additional earnings which will help me to support my household.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my view, GiveDirectly does so well in sensitizing its potential recipients. This helped in reducing rumors that some community members had at first spread regarding GiveDirectly's transfer by enemies of progress. It also does well in sending money through Mpesa, a platform that is safer than giving cash in hand. There is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer to complete building a semi-permanent house. Out of the whole transfer, I bought cement worth KES 20,000. I also used KES 16,000 to acquire other materials that were used in fixing both the windows and doors. I am glad that my new house is almost complete and has two bedrooms. Previously I was living in a mud walled house with just one bedroom hence my children were always inconvenienced whenever they go to sleep in the neighbourhood.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home cleaning my house when I heard a message notification on my phone and I did not bother checking it at that time since I was busy. When I later checked its contents after I was done with my chores, my heart was filled with joy as I realized that GiveDirectly had finally sent the promised money. This gave me hope that the construction of our house would soon continue as we had left it halfway due to financial constraints.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to buy some materials for the continuity of the construction of our house that we had started last year but left it incomplete due to insufficient funds. Being able to continue with its construction gives me so much joy since I now have hope of living in a permanent house earlier than expected.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We had started building a permanent house last year but left it incomplete due to insufficient funds. This is because we decided to channel all our finances into our children's education. Upon receiving my transfer, I spent KES 20000 to buy four glass windows, KES 10000 to buy a steel door, KES 5000 on sand and KES 15000 to buy 12 bags of cement to use in finishing the construction of this house. Using the remaining KES 4000, I bought school uniforms for my children since we were transferring them to a different school and I am happy with our achievements so far.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I felt good when we were told about GiveDirectly coming to our village. I am currently constructing a three- roomed brick house but it has stalled because I do not have enough money. Receiving this money, I will use the first transfer to fix windows, a door and add ceiling board to the house. I will use the second transfer to tile my sitting room and buy a roll of chain linked wire to fence a small part of my compound in order for my wife to rear poultry.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in morning when my family and I wake up in good health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced is job security. When I completed my diploma in sales and marketing, I could not secure a job for a longest time and had to depend on my husband to meet our family's needs. He decided to enroll me for a degree in education so that I can get a chance to be employed by the Teacher's Service Commission and with that help him with providing for our family.
