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 ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has improved compared to how it would have been had I not received the transfer because if it was not for the money I would not be having an iron roof house. The previous house had a leaking roof and not only would we be rained on but most of our households too were destroyed by rain. I am glad I cam now safely keep my households.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion Give Directly does a good job by giving people cash and let them decide on how to use them. This has enabled people to meet their needs that they could not afford. This is a great work they are doing and I do not feel they need to improve on any area.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought building materials with the recent transfer that I have already used to construct a better house. I previously slept on worn out bedding which were not food for my health. I, therfore, bought some bedding too.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfer notification in the afternoon. I was curious to know who could have sent the money. However, when I checked the contents, I was greatly overjoyed when I realised it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily is that the transfer has enabled me to buy some goats which are living assets to me. They are valuable assets that will readily help me in case of a financial need. I am expecting them to reproduce and increase in number. I can later on exchange them for cows. I am assured that my children's education is secured because I can readily sell to raise their fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 24000 on buying some goats which I am keeping in my homestead. My aim is to keep them, reproduce and have many of them. I am planning to sell the offspring to raise money in case of a financial need. These are long term living assets that I can rely on. In addition to this, I also spent the transfer on buying a new bed and a mattress to replace the old bedding that I have been using. Apart from these, I also bought 30 pieces iron sheets to renovate my children's house. They were living in a grass thatched house and I am planning to renovate it with iron sheet.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My dream is to educate my children to the college level so that they may secure good job and better future. Investing in quality education for my children is what receiving this money means to me. Currently, I have 6 children in primary school with my first born in class 8 about to join secodary school next year. My plan is to use $ 300 to start a small business of buying and selling of indigenous goats which will be my sustainable source of income. I will save the profit which I will use to educate my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We are experiencing rain season in our areas and at this time every households is back on there farms doing substance farming. Mornings and afternoons are always my busy part of the day working on my farm up to evening when I come back home to rest after a long day of work. It also at this time when I get to meet my children when they return home from school, the interaction with them and sharing our experiences of the day which eating dinner make me happy. Hence, I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source income is the biggest hardship I am facing. Being unskilled and not able to secure a good job has render my life miserable. Charcoal vending is what we have been doing for our survival. Despite this activity being low paying it has been adversely affect by the government policies that burns the use of Charcoal for other green source of energy. My plan has been to start livestock business as an alternative livelihood but I have not accomplished this due to lack of capital.
