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 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Had I not received the transfer from Givedirectly, I would not have thought of building another house since I do not have a source of income. I am also a proud owner of a cow, sheep and chicken that provides us with milk and other animal products for home use. Now I do not overwork myself as such looking for a daily wage in order to buy and provide all these for my family. I am able to take of my family's needs more comfortably and I am less worried on how to provide for them.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I loved that GD decided to trust us enough to give us the money. This is a nice move since each person makes his or her decisions for whatever needs they have. In my opinion, everything was perfectly planned.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent some part of the transfer that I received on some building materials such as iron sheet, poles, timber and nails. I am planning to build a new and improved house. We are currently living in one mud-walled and grassed thatched roof house which is used as both the bedroom, sitting room and a place where our visitors stay. This is sometimes so inconveniencing for us when we have visitors and there is less privacy. This makes us really uncomfortable as a family. I am also planning to buy seats and other household items once the house is completed with the remaining amount of the transfer. Food availability for us as a family has really improved since I was able to buy some stock of food that will last us for a while.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($548 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now own a dairy cow. Earlier on I used to rear a relative's cow. In fact, he had notified me that he was planning to sell the cow the next month. I was super worried that my family could lack milk. The transfers came in handy as KES 25000 of the transfers went towards buying a dairy cow. Lucky enough the cow that I bought was only one month away from calving. I now milk four litres of milk every day. I sell two litres and the other two is for my family's consumption. From the sale, I get KES 100 which is a great boost for me as far as meeting my family's basic needs is concerned.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 8.00 am when a message popped up notifying me that I had received the transfers. I was busy preparing breakfast. Breakfast got ready but the excitement was too much that we instantly lost appetite. At that time of the day, everyone was home and we were all getting ready for the day. We immediately left everything we were doing and headed towards the nearby centre with my husband. We could not wait to have the money in cash. We were all smiles as we headed home after withdrawing the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 25000 of the transfer on buying a dairy cow. I then used KES 1000 on paying school fees for my children in primary school. I then clothed my family with KES 5000. I also bought 2 bags of maize at KES 5000. I used KES 5000 to buy chicken. I bought wood for building in preparation for building a house as soon as I get the next transfer at KES 6000. I also bought maize seeds and fertilizers at KES 7000. I finally bought a goat worth KES 3000. We had already budgeted for all these together with my husband and we are happy that we accomplished the plan.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that my children ,spouse and I will no longer have to sleep in our small crowded hut.It will also mean that I will beable to buy my own cow so that my children can get enough milk to nourish them.This money will enable me to buy building materials and hire someone to construct an iron roofed house.With the remainder,I will buy a dairy cow
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I wake up in the morning and finish my house chores,I go to the river to fetch water for my household.At this time of the day(midday),I get to meet several women from my neighbourhood going to the river and we discuss on many issues especially what we can do to improve our living standards.When I am in their company I am most happy because I get to learn a lot from their experiences.This is the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My family and I live in a very small grass thatched house.There is hardly enough space for us to sleep at night.When relatives come visiting,I am forced to seek a sleeping place for them in my neighbour's house.This always makes me feel ashamed that I cannot be able to provide a better house for my family.When I receive this money,I plan to make this a priority.
