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 ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different after receiving my transfer in that I was able to improve the condition of my house after constructing pillars for the house. Also, I started goats rearing an investment for the future, they will support me whenever I face any financial challenge. Furthermore, my child is having a reliable source of income that is helping in bringing up the family as well as providing cash for other basic needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for sending the cash transfer which has transformed our lives. I could not have started livestock rearing and purchased a motorbike for my son without this aid.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $200 of the transfer to purchase a new motorbike for my child on hire purchase with the remaining amount of money being paid on weekly installment. This is because he had the experience in motorbike taxi but he lack the cash to acquire his own motorbike. I also bought 16 bags of cement at 6.5 dollars each and 2 lorries of sand this was for the construction of pillars for my house so that it may be strong since it had began to collapse because the mud walls had been washed away by rains. In addition, I bought two goats a future investment for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 7 PM when I heard my phone ringing. Without hesitating, I decided to check what the message was all about. I realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly indicating that I had finally received my first transfer. I felt so happy and could not explain it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life that I can proudly talk about so far is that I now own a permanent house. I have been longing to own it for years but I could not afford to construct one because of the financial constraints. Previously I used to sleep under a very small house which was leaking during the rainy seasons. I was never at peace with my children especially when they wanted to do their school assignments at night. I am now a happy parent because the situation is different, they can do their assignments and sleep peacefully without any difficulties like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some beddings which include a new bed and a mattress. I also bought two goats worthy of KES 8000. To add to that, I bought some bricks, sand, and bags of cement. This was for the renovation of my house which was temporary and in poor condition. Also, I cleared some school fees for my children who are in primary school. With the remaing amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My daughter completed her secondary education in the year 2017 and she managed to get a mean grade of C+ which she had been praying for a long. Her ambition was to do a nursing course but due to scarce resources she has not yet fulfilled it. I have always wished that she fulfill her ambition so that she can be dependable in her future life and even support us. When I receive the money I will use 80,000 Kenya shillings to pay for her school fees so that she can be able to fulfil her desires. I will use the remaining amount on my daily basic needs such as food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a milk vendor, I usually spend a lot of time moving around selling the milk. This job drains me a lot of energy and I get tired. Evening is the time I return home after a busy hustling day and this is the time I relax and interact more with my family as we share our meals. Evening is therefore the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I depend on milk vending to get an income. I always wake up at 4.00 am to milk my two cows so that I can sell to get something to depend on. I usually walk to different places selling them and sometimes the production becomes low because of drought and I end up getting low income thus I am forced to look for casual job to increase my income.The income I get every month is not enough to support my daughter's education. Therefore low income is the biggest hardship in my life.
