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
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My biggest goal is to build myself a big house. I want nothing more than to live well, have good health and be happy, like those I see around me. GiveDirectly has pushed me an inch closer to that dream and I pray they continue to walk with myself and the many other recipient's on this journey we have started of self improvement and growth.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my eyes, GiveDirectly is without fault! As a beneficiary, I am clearly biased, but still, I stand by my words. GiveDirectly has changed countless lives and all I would ask is that they continue to do so for years to come
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was without a place to call my own. With the transfers from GiveDirectly, I was able to build myself a home, consisting of one room and a verandah. In my building endeavours, I need to source and pay for ,water, cement, labour amongst a host of many other consumables. It was a thing of pride, being able to tell my 2 sons and 4 daughters, that you built yourself a home. All my daughters are married and I have no underage kids, so the funds GiveDirectly sent me were funneled towards allowing me to achieve the dreams I have always desired but been unable to achieve, and for this I am eternally greatful to GiveDirectly. Other than the coconut business I have selling what I harvest from my farm, I don't need to worry so much about my 2 sons who live with me since one works at a petrol station ,while the other is a turn boy at Kilifi. That meant that I had no guilt when allocating my funds to the needs that affected me most, individually.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was talking with my friend while sitting outside my house. My phone rang out loud, and I passed it to my friend to read the contents of the message because I was illiterate. He informed me I had received my first transfer. I became very anxious and my heart instantly melted with joy. I smiled from ear to ear, exposing my white teeth in a show of happiness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Building the house is the biggest difference that I have had in my life since I received the transfer. I have lacked a house for over three years now and my son came to my rescue by letting me sleep in his house. Having this house will restore the happiness that I lost when my house collapsed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After separating from my wife, it left me with the sole responsibility of taking care of my children. I worked as a casual laborer selling palm wine in the village. I quit my job after I accidentally fell from a coconut tree when harvesting the palm wine. Since then I have had no job and depend on my son to take care of me. When I received my transfer, I spent a large portion on building my house because I stayed in my son’s house after my house collapsed because of the weak poles. I bought 65 building poles, 10 pieces of iron sheets, 1kg of nails, and a sisal twine rope to build my one-roomed house. Besides building the house, I spent the remaining amount of money on buying food because I now no longer work and depend on my son.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My priority is to build a house for myself, I have been away from home, and since I came back( eight months now) I have been living in my son's house. My house fell and I was not able to repair it. I went away to work after my wife left me and I would visit from time to time but this made it impossible to build my own house. I was a palm wine tapper but had an accident that rendered me unable to work. The income was not enough to enable me to cater to my need of rebuilding my house.
When I receive this transfer my interest will be in building a house for myself where I can live and be relaxed.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My heart has been at peace ever since I came back home after the accident. The support and care my sons have given me have been overwhelming. There is no single day I have been worried about what to eat because they have assisted me on the same.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I had a terrible accident in June 2021. I fall from a palm wine tree and hit the ground so hard that I lost consciousness for about 15 minutes. Luckily there were people around who came to my rescue. They poured water on me and when I regained consciousness they took me to the hospital. Since then I have been at home recuperating. My waist however hurts a lot especially after walking, I have to lie down first then sit to help deal with the pain.
I am also asthmatic and this makes it harder for me to move about. When I lose breathe while walking it forces me to sit wherever I am till it passes. This condition came later on.
