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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KSH 2000 to finish building the roof of my house. Two months ago, strong winds blew the grass away during the night. Since then I have tried to save the little I earn from my motorcycle business. I am happy that the roof of my house is good and made of iron sheets, making the house look good. Besides building the roof, I spent KSH 500 to pay school fees for my child, who was at home due to school fees arrears. I am happy to report he could sit for his exams. With the remaining KSH 500, I bought food for the family because we had nothing left to cook for that day.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I started receiving the funds, I had plans to do some house renovations. The roof of my house was too old and it was not serving its purpose. So, when I received my first transfer of 1200, I used it to pay the construction workers. I then had to purchase roofing materials that included palm tree leaves and some sisal that cost me ksh4000. So, when I received my second transfer, I topped up to ksh1000 to cover the cost. With my last transfer, I used ksh2500 to pay the workers and the remaining ksh500 to pay to clear my children's school fee arrears.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am so grateful to give directly because it provided me financial stability and i am glad to say i was able to finish renovating my house thanks to give directly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was initially renovating my house earlier last year but due to covid everything was locked down and i drived a motorcycle for taxi as a job. Since i could not make enough money i had to stop renovating my house. After receiving the money, i went ahead and bought equipment to finish what i had started especially the roofing. i bought timber worth KES 3500, 2 kg of nails worth KES 450 and the transport back and forth cost me KES 2500 which i added with savings that i had.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When the message came in it was about nine in the morning and I had already gone to work. I work as a taxi driver using my motorcycle since this has become very common in our area and it is also one of the easiest and at least affordable means of transport. Although it helps sustain me and my little family the pay is little and this means of transport is practised by most youths in our village thus making it affordable for our passengers and also a high supply thus the demand depreciates.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The ability to be able to begin the construction of my house which was a project I have been eyeing for the longest time was very big for me since the money enabled me to at least manage to start getting things moving rather than waiting as I had been doing all along.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before receiving the transfers I had plans of starting a new project that involved building a new house for my family of four since the house we inhabit at the moment was small and a proper cemented house would do go for my small family even during the rainy season. As soon as I got the transfers I bought two bags of cement where each sold for six hundred and fifty shillings plus I added a small amount of my savings to foot the bill.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have an ongoing construction project that I would like to complete. This is my house which is halfway done but it has stalled since the month of December, 2020 due to lack of finances. The estimated cost of completing this house is Kes. 45,000 and I intend to save that amount from my transfers until I can comfortably complete the house and move my family from the the one roomed house that we are sharing with my wife and three children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am happy in the morning because I have been granted the opportunity to see another day and another chance to make a living. My happiest part of the day is evening because after a long day's work, I get to close my accounts and see how much I have made from my motorbike business. With this, I can be able to cater for my family's needs on a day to day basis.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a trained electrician but I am currently unemployed. I really desire to get a job in the same field as its my passion. I have tried my best to secure a job in vain but I am still hopeful that some day I will get a spot and make a living out of it. I am also open to starting my own practice in the electrical field even if it means moving to another town. Moving to the urban area requires job connections and money to settle which I currently do not have. Working in my home area earns me little income since most households are not connected to electricity. This is the main reason that I am struggling financially.
