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 ($448 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?
In 2023 I would like to start farming and get products for my business. I have a restaurant and I get my ingredients from the market which sometimes are sold at high prices making it hard to get maximum profit. My father has a big land and I will be requesting to start farming soon.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has helped a lot of families in the village. They have given hope to the hopeless. Villagers are happy and more cheerful than ever.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the transfer, My house was falling apart. The roof was leaking and the side of the house had holes that let rodents and snakes into the house. My family and I had stayed in that terrible house for three years with no money to repair it. Receiving this money has enabled me to improve my house, bought new iron sheets, and managed to cover up the holes. I also build six rooms for rentals and I plan to rent them at $10 a month. This money will help me pay school fees for my four children without strain.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just picked my phone from a nearby center where it was charging and the moment I switched the phone on I received a confirmation message that I had received KES 55000 from Give Directly. I felt so happy because I had been eagerly waiting for it. I knew that my dream of owning a reasonable house had finally come true because I did not have a house at that time.
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 the payments from Give Directly is the peace of having a good stronger house. I cannot thank Give Directly enough for the support because I could not have afforded it. I spent my days praying for a way but in all was in vain. if it was not for the transfers, we would still be in the house that half of it had fallen off.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the whole of the first transfer on bricks, cement, and building labor which am using to construct a new house. I would not say that I have a house because half of it is already down and am afraid that the other part might fall at any time. My new house is almost done and I can not wait to occupy it. I will finally get to have a peaceful night.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a dignified life for me. With a family of two children, I have been staying in a house that is in very poor condition for the past 3 years. During rainy seasons, the house leaks due to rotten iron sheets. One side of the house is nearly falling. Living in such kind of a structure saddens me. I feel it lowers my self-worth and that of my family. I intend to renovate my house by reinforcing it with pillars and replacing the old iron sheets. This will cost me approximately 40,000 KES. I will be very much excited once I start living in my renovated house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Early this year, 2021, I built a four-room rental house. The house was not attracting any occupants. My happiest moment came in September. All the rooms were occupied. This gave me joy because it translates to more income.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am currently facing is my kidney related illness. I have been struggling with kidney related complications for the last two years. I was advised by a doctor to no longer work for longer periods. This has really had an effect on my economic productivity. Tailoring is my occupation. Before, I used to make a profit of approximately 400 KES per day. As at now, I only make 200 KES on a good day. With the reduced earnings, I really struggle to run my tailoring business.
