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 ($518 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
check
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying seven goats at KES 24500 that I am currently keeping in my homestead. I also saved KES 10000 which am planning to spend it on buying more livestock. I spent the remaining amount to buy daily foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in enrolling the needy households and giving the transfer and allowing us to plan for ourselves. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different in that the transfer has majorly enabled me to buy goats and cows. I did not have these livestock before GiveDirectly came. I know these are assets to me and I can readily lean on them in case of a financial need.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a pair of oxen at 32000. I decided to buy them because of the many benefits they have. I have always wanted to keep them for a long time now but I couldn't afford them. I am happy GiveDirectly empowered me financially and managed to buy the bulls at once. In addition to that, I also bought enough foodstuffs for my family because our stock had reduced and it could not sustain us up to the next harvesting season. I later saved the remaining amount of money in my bank account. The savings usually help me when an emergency arises.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember vividly well it was around 10:30 pm when I saw the notification message on my mobile phone. When I checked its content, I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly informing that I have received my first transfer. I was so glad because I did not believe it would happen at the time when enrollment was still on. I also thought the organization was a scam since most NGOs have come and gone without fulfilling their promises. I don't have enough words to express my feeling then, I just want to thank them for coming up with such an idea
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now own a pair of oxen. As a farmer, I have been longing to have my own because it is cheaper since I will not have to hire laborers. It will also increase my harvest since I will be able to plant in time. Previously I used to hire labor which was expensive. Sometimes I could not even afford to hire and I used to do the tilling by myself. As a result, I ended up getting very low harvests. Apart from ploughing my farm, the oxen will also earn me more income by ploughing other people's farms.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Waking up in the morning while I have no any opportunity to venture into is my biggest challenge. The only job I do most as at today is masonry labour but it's availability is inconsistent. Sometimes, I am forced to stay idle the whole day yet I am expected to bring home food for the family. Therefore, lack of reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My bright part of the day is always in the morning when I wake up in good health and energetic to face the day's strenuous activities. It is from these activities that I get my daily bread and therefore, I consider morning as the happiest part of my day.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Owning my business has been my longest desire, but due to insufficient capital, this wish has been in vain. I have been working as a shopkeeper for twelve years but in March, 2018, my boss terminated my contract, making me jobless. This forced me to come back home and start doing casual jobs which are very tiresome and exhaustive. Receiving this money means realizing my life goal, I will start my own shop within the village because as at today, getting a packet of maize flour means walking almost two kilometers to get one. I also plan to buy five goats and the remaining amount will sustain other basic needs. This will change my life for the better.
