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?
Had it not have been for the transfers, I would not have been able to build a spacious house for my family. We were living in a one room house that was serving us as a kitchen, bedroom and living room. Building a spacious house has enabled my children to do their assignments and study in the evening since the distractions is minimal due to the spacious house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by sending us money directly into our accounts and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Fee 15000, 18000, beddings 2000, heifer 20000, food 7000, clothes 5000 When I received my second transfer, I decided to buy a heifer. I settled on this so that when it calves, I will earn an income through the sale of milk and in turn use the money to cater for my children's education. Also, I paid school fees for my children who had been sent back home. I spent the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family. I bought food to last us for some time, beddings and clothes for everyone.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($527 USD)
access_time over 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 now have a descent house that my family and I can live in comfortably. With this house, my children can now have their own private time for studies and I am optimistic that they will pass very well. We feel proud to make a descent home as a family; something we never thought we could accomplish anytime soon. We are so grateful to GiveDirectly for the support that they gave us.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the money from my relative's residence where I had gone for burial. I felt so happy when I received a notification from Safaricom at around 2:00 am that day and I prayed immediately. Someone who was staying close to me then was left wondering what had befell me at that time of the night. I finished praying and then I explained to her that I had received a favor from God then went back to sleep as I started planning on how to spend the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used all of my first transfer to build tow new houses. We were living in a small grass thatched house that had a leaking roof. Living in this house was so uncomfortable for us especially during the rainy season when we had to curdle in one corner until the rains subsided. With the construction of these new houses my children can even have a place to do their private studies and hopefully improve in their performance. This money has totally changed the story of my family from that of a hopeless one to a happy family.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a grass thatched house with only one room and thirteen children.The roof leaks and the space is too small for all of us.The first plan is therefore to build a iron roofed house with at least three rooms.I will also buy a dairy cow to help me get milk for consumption and for sale.This will help me satisfy the family's basic needs.I also have a plan of starting a grocery business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the early morning hours around my compound doing the house chores and cleanliness.I leave for my farm at mid morning.Someone lended me half an acre of land where I have planted beans.I work there till noon then come home for lunch.I then go back to the farm
after lunch and spend the better part of the afternoon there.Evening is the happiest part of my day.This is because I spend time with my children advising them and instilling morals to them so that they can live a better life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a single mother of thirteen children and bringing up this children is the biggest hardship I have faced in my life.Sometimes we lack basic needs like food and clothes.I have only one house with one room to accomodate the whole family.This hardship forced me to make local brew which is an illegal business in our country.We sometimes had conflict with authorities and sometimes forced to go into a hideout.I did this risky business for one year to a point that it affected my health due to the heat and smoke involved in the preparation of the local brew.I sought medication and the doctors advised me to stop the business.This is just one of several odd jobs that I have tried to make ends meet.I hope to use this money from Give Directly to do something positive and constructive to change my life and that of my family.
