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 ($526 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life drastically changed when I received my transfers and is currently different from how it would have been had Inot received the transfers. We now live in a more spacious house that can accommodate us comfortably. Also, my children currently sleep peacefully because of the new beddings that I bought for them. If I had not received the transfers, I would still be living in a small house with leaking roof and my children would still be using old clothes as their beddings.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well as an organization since they made us uplift our living standards by giving us a financial aid.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a good amount from my second transfer to conduct a home welcoming ceremony for my sons who had underwent initiation. Also, I spent some amount to buy some timber to use in building a verandah and a kitchen for my family. My children had been using old clothes as beddings and as a way of changing them, I bought a bed and a mattress for them. I spent the remaining amount to buy some decent clothes for my family, one sack of maize and 10kg of beans.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($537 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to buy some iron sheets that I am intending to use in building a spacious house for my family. This is because the house I am currently living in is small, old and its walls are becoming weak as days pass by. Due to this, living in it for long is dangerous as it might collapse any time hence it is a threat to our lives. I am hopeful that I will be able to start building a new house using my second transfers.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4 am when I received a message notification on my phone. Since I was awake, I decided to check and know who the sender was. After reading its content, I became so happy as the message indicated that GiveDirectly had sent us the money we had been waiting for.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfers, I spent some amount to buy some iron sheets that I am intending to use in building a spacious house for my family. Also, I spent some amount to buy some basic needs for my family. I bought 30 kg of beans, one sack of maize flour and also some clothes for my children. I used the remaining amount to pay circumcision fees for my two sons who have undergone circumcision this holiday. As per our culture, they had attained the initiation age and any delay would lower their self-esteem as they would not mingle with their agemates easily.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will be able to renew my houses.Both houses are very old and we have always wished to build better ones but have not managed to due to lack of funds.This money will also enable us to build a separate house for our sons who are already grown up but have been forced to sleep in the kitchen;something which is somehow unacceptable in our culture.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day starts pretty early with normal household chores like preparing breakfast and cleaning the homestead.When this is done,i leave for the farm where I work till lunch time.It is at this time while working that I am happiest because I know that this particular job will give me a wage at the end of the day and this means that my family will have food.This therefore makes midmorning the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is physically disabled-he cannot walk.He works as a cobbler in a nearby town,a job which does not really generate any reliable income for our family.Therefore,all the burden of meeting the needs of the family including food,clothing,medical needs as well as school fees is all on me.Since I do not have a job or any skill to utilize too,am forced to work as a casual labourer as well as work in my farm to meet these needs.This is the biggest hardship I have faced
