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 ($435 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?
I am planning to build my house to completion for it to be decent and presentable. Secondly, I would like to start a business, this is after saving some money since the transfers have come to the end. Apart from this, I do not have any plans.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am happy because of receiving these transfers and I thank God for the same. Since I started receiving these transfers, my life changed for the best. At least I managed to buy iron sheets and other building materials for building my house. I am planning to get 30 more iron sheets since I only have 30. My house needs 60 iron sheets.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid school fees for my two children with the first transfer. With the second transfer, I took kes. 40000 and bought 30 iron sheets, nails, and timber. Bought food and goat at kes. 3000 and paid school fees of kes. 4000 for my son who is in college. I am a mother of six, two boys and four girls. One is married and a teacher and another one is married and works in DOs office the remaining ones are not married yet. I do farming of maize and vegetables. My husband is old and does not work. My current house is big but the roof is old I would like to renovate it. I am being rained on. We hope things are going to be all right. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for your help. You have put a smile on my face.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While on my way from the shamba since it was a farming season, I heard people talking about the promise GiveDirectly transfers. Not knowing how to check money in my phone account made me curious. When I reached home, I requested one of the family members to check for me and he confirmed that I had received the transfer too. My heart was filled with joy and happiness for receiving a huge amount of money once since birth.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The vivid difference that I can attest of GiveDirectly in line with the transfer is that initially, I used to shift from one position to another while in my house if it rains. After receiving the first transfer I managed to fix the roofing and as of now, I live on a well-placed roof and I sometimes wish it rains heavily so that I just listen to how the drops dance on the roof.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I first saved KES 10000.00 for the family’s upkeep since the season we were in was a drought season. Thereafter, I opted to do some renovation to my house which was leaking profusely during the rainy season. I bought some iron sheets and repaired the whole roof. Despite not knowing the exact amount I believe the roofing took a higher percentage of the transfer. I also paid school fees for my child who is joining college.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always had an intention of renovating my existing old house to a better structure. The current house I reside in with my family is old and worn out and always stressed up during the rainy season as water seeps from the roof. This creates unfavorable living conditions for my family. To get out of this crisis, I plan to utilize KES 30000 to modernize my house to a better one that will accommodate my family comfortably. The remaining amount will be invested in my children educational needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My dream for a bright future for my son come true last month. This was when my eldest son decided to pay his school fees in a driving college. This brought happiness to my life because I know that after a few months he will be working and earning his own money.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial struggles have really weighed me down. This has been made worse by the current job ( charcoal work) that I am doing. The little amount I get from my charcoal business is not enough to cater to all our needs.
