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
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
To earn a living so I could fend for my wife and three children, I farm for other people and my daily pay is KES 300. This amount is not enough in these harsh economic times so I would find myself using it only to purchase food for my family. It's my plan to get a better job. For instance, I want to start farming on my own land and I'm currently looking for materials to facilitate this. I believe this will give me more revenue and I will obtain the financial stability I have been yearning for.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly has done very well through its cash donation program. The funds I received boosted my finances and I was able to settle my two children's KES 9000 school fee arrears. Other than this, I was also able to build a house for my family. We now live comfortably and in harmony. However, I have not seen any area where the organization has done badly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first time I got funds from give directly, I decided to purchase some materials so I could start the construction of a new home for my family (my wife and three children). The one we lived in was a squeezed single-roomed house with a veranda. I now wanted a spacious three-roomed house with a veranda. So, when I got my second transfer, I purchased the remaining materials and paid the builders to start off the building process. I also settled my two children's school fee arrears of KES 9000. This is what I was struggling with most because the daily income I get from farming on other people's farmlands is only KES 300 that I would use to buy food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6pm and I was at home relaxing when I got the SMS confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because it gave me the ability to address the challenges that were pressing especially getting a house as I used to sleep in a makeshift one which was making so unhappy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I now have a better and proper house, which I didn't have before. I will also have goats that will be a sign of how my life has been elevated and will always take of me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 24000 on building a better house because I didn't have one and uses to sleep in a makeshift one which was not any different from sleeping out in the especially when it rains at night. I used to spend the whole night awake when it rains, which used to make me so sad and unhappy. Therefore, getting a better and proper house was a top priority when I got the money, and I am so happy that I got one now. I also kept aside KES 8000 to buy goats because I consider them as a living and visible bank where my money is safe and will always give me the ability to address the financial challenges I will be facing in the future. Therefore, I am not worried as I have that as an investment, and my future is secure, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am living a destitute life. My wife was taken back by her parents because I had not fully paid dowery for her. She is living in another village with our 3 children. I have to share what I get with them so that they can buy food and pay school fees for the children. My house collapsed and I decided to build a small room to live in. I tried to look for casual labour in our nearest town but invain. Currently I am doing charcoal business but it's hard to get customers for the charcoal because everyone is doing the same business here in my area. I always think of reuniting with my family, but because of the financial challenges, I have lost hope in life.
Receiving this money means I will settle down the dowery issue and take back my family. I will pay 20,000 KES as dowery, I will build a 2 bedroom house for my family and use the second transfer to start buying charcoal to resell in large quantity so that I make more money to feed my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I got 700 KES , an assistance from my sister who was married far away who had visited us. I brought joy and happiness because I send 500 KES for the children to buy food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My charcoal business is small and I get very small amount of money of which I have to share with my wife who is away from me. This is a bigger challenge to me because when ever I miss to send money to my wife, my wife thinks I do not want to feed my children because they are away from me. This makes me feeling uncomfortable and lives me to go to bed hungry so that I can satisfy my wife and children .
