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 ($527 USD)
access_time over 4 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 than how it would have been because I have been able to open a business that my son is now helping me to run it. Due to this, getting money to use in buying our basic needs on time is easier since I will be using my profits to achieve this. Also, I am in the process of building a spacious and decent house for my family. This has made me happier since I know that very soon, I will be living comfortably in my newly built house and enjoy the privacy that comes with it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by giving us financial aid that enabled us to transform our lives in different ways.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent it to build a spacious house for my family. I settled on this since the house we were living in was small and could not accommodate us comfortably. I still have some amount that I am intending to use in buying doors and windows. Building this house will also enable me to harvest clean rain water for domestic use.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I no longer worry much about what to eat because, with the transfers, I bought a bag of maize which will last me until when the second transfers will be sent. By that time, our Mpesa business will have picked so well as so we will start generating some income. I am also happy because I know that I will no longer buy milk for consumption and so the money I would have spent will be used for other purposes
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I got a message that I had received transfers from Give Directly, I was overjoyed. I was with my son and we celebrated together. All I could think of is a brighter future since we already had plans in place
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received this money, I decided to open an Mpesa shop. My son has been so idle at home and all along, he had a goal of starting one in order to not only create him an employment but also to generate more income to the family. Since I am old, I no longer do casual jobs and so life was very hard since a times, we didn't have any amount to purchase a tin of maize and ended up sleeping hungry. With the remaining amount, I bought an heifer since I only had one cow and wasn't producing milk throughout. I was then forced to buy for my family consumption. I also purchased some foodstuff and other household necessities.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I intend to buy a small piece of land using the money since i still live in my father's land because i never got married. The remaining part of my transfer will enable me build a three roomed iron roofed house since the small hut my children and i currently live in is too old and leaks during rainy seasons. I also plan to buy a dairy cow that will be my source of income from selling milk since the current casual jobs i engage in drains my energy and affects me healthwise.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My usual day begins at 6.00am whereby i wake up and prepare breakfast for my children who study in a nearby primary school. After this i head to a forest 3kms away where i usually go fetch firewood that i sell in the afternoon in some hotels not far from home. Evening is the happiest part of my day since its the time i have sold all the firewood and back home to prepare and share the evening meal with my children as we chat on what transpired during the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a single mother of five, the biggest hardship i face is lack of financial support. My main source of income comes from engaging in tedious jobs such as fetching firewood from the forest and selling them in the nearby hotels and shopping centers. My health is deteriorating and sometimes i feel too weak to go to work but since my children fully depends on me, i got no option but to carry on. I therefore plan to buy a dairy cow that will help generate income daily upon selling milk in order to ease my struggles.
