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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($443 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?
Apparently I do not have any other new goal except looking into my family's welfare and farming.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The fact that we were taken through the importance of the project before being given the cash was an eye opener to my husband and I.Their is nothing that GiveDirectly did wrong.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the past five years, we were staying in a house which was so deplorable that it started falling apart. Since we had no sufficient resources then, continue staying in that house was inevitable. However, the second transfer was a game changer for we did not only use it's proceeds to construct a modest house but a spacious one as well. Besides, part of the second transfer went into paying school fees for my three children who had fee arrears. I am glad that they will not be sent home due to fee arrears. Moreover, my family did enjoy a balanced meal. My husband being a watch man in a local school whereas I am a subsistence farmer, making ends meet has never been that smooth. On the contrary, we are glad that GiveDirectly came through for us financially.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($480 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
This came as a pleasant surprise as I was just rested at home taking a meal. I was happy as I read the MPESA message from GiveDirectly. I planned for the funds keenly and withdrew after three days to proceed with the projects set.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The funds from GiveDirectly have given me the zeal to be able to build a good house ensuring comfortable and safe living conditions.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving the KES 55000, I was able to improve the living conditions of my family by constructing a good house from our previous one as it was almost collapsing and in quite bad shape. I bought iron sheets at KES 31450, nails at KES 3000 and timber at KES 11000. A further KES 4000 was spent on transport of the items from the place of purchase to our home. The balance of KES 5550 was used to purchase food supplements for the house as I have four children and currently being a housewife, I do not have that stable monthly income.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to build a new structure for my family, the one I currently live in is almost falling as a result of ants. My husband had plans of doing so but due to COVID-19, things did not work as planned because they were sent home without pay for a few months. Another challenge that I have been facing is the problem with paying school fees for my children. Receiving these transfers will enable me to build a new house and pay school fees without straining. I plan to spend the money as follows, KES 40,000 on the structure, another KES 40,000 on school fees for my son who is in form 3, save KES 20,000 for my son who is almost joining secondary school in April, and buy basic needs like food with the remaining KES 10,000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past few months, I have been able to get small jobs and earn something small unlike before where getting this kind of job was very hard. I thank God I am alive and able to go out and earn a living no matter how small it is, I believe it is better than returning home with nothing.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My house is in a bad state because of ants that have been eating the polls. It got worse since it started raining last year because water gets inside the house and weakens the walls that making it more vulnerable to wind. I am also struggling to pay school fees for my son in high school. Lack of money is therefore my current challenge.
