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 ($445 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before receiving the funds I had planned that when I did receive the money, I would use it to renovate my house because it was almost collapsing and not only that but also the iron sheets had so many holes on it that during the rainy season we would all be worried about being drenched and all the furniture as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Before knowing the organization we were stuck in situations where we were quite impoverished with barely prefer houses to live in and barely enough meals for ourselves and our family. That is why I'm very grateful for GiveDirectly because I finally have a better house to live in and even got the chance to keep a bit of farm animals.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As I had mentioned prior I had plans to renovate my house, therefore as soon as I receive the money I went ahead and bought iron sheets worth KES 20,000, timber worth KES 10,000, cement was KES 15,000 and the sand plus the nails 4000. I also ended up buying a couple of farm animals which included two goats which cost me KES 6,000 since I was hoping they would breed and assist me financially in the long run.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4pm in the evening and I was at home doing laundry when I received the SMS confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I felt great happiness in my heart because I had gotten the ability to help myself get some of the things that I have always desired to have especially livestock, poultry and a bed as well as a mattress. I couldn't afford to get myself these things because my local kiosk business hardly raised enough money to enable me get them. I am, therefore, so happy to have been able to address these challenges that were so pressing.
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 am now living a more improved life than before. I now have a better and proper bed and mattress, livestock as well bought more stock for my local kiosk business. I am so happy and grateful that most of the commodities regularly asked for are available, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 26000 on buying a family size bed and mattress because I didn't have one before as I used to sleep on the mud floor which was very uncomfortable and unhealthy since I used to wake up with back pains on several occasions. This used to be the case because my local kiosk business barely raised enough money to enable me address that . I am so happy that I am now living a more improved life as I sleep comfortably on a proper bed and mattress. I also spent KES 15000 on buying more stock for my business because it has been my regular source of income which helps me meet my family's immediate needs on a daily basis. Buying more stock for it is in a way increasing the prospective profit which will, inturn, propel my life going forward and make progress. All thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was not privileged to finish school because I got pregnant at the age of 16. Early pregnancy forced me to get married and ever since I have been just a housewife. Seeing my age mate prospering yet I am just stuck as a housewife made me think of going back to school to study tailoring. My husband has a retail shop that is also not doing quite well due to a lack of enough capital. My plan when I receive these transfers, therefore, is to use KES 27,500 for my college fees and add stock with the remaining KES 27,500.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We experienced a long drought last year, but towards the end of the year rain started and this made me happy because the temperatures also reduced.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband has a retain shop but since the beginning of Covid-19, the business has not been doing as well as before. I am afraid the business might cease to operate as a result of a lack of finances to add more stock. The challenge I currently face is insufficient funds to add stock to our retail business.
