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 ($510 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 from how it was in that, I now own livestock. I managed to buy goats which is a dream come true. The weather in this area is favorable for them and I am certain that in a short while they will increase in the number that will simply mean more money. I plan to sell some of them in case of an emergency.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I love the way this organization worked with fairness and kept its promise by sending us the transfers. To say the truth, our living standards have improved since we got enrolled. There is nothing that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my second transfer on paying college fees for my child. I had always wanted to see my children reaching a higher level of education and this is why I decided to use most of the money on education. Being one of the eldest children, I know that if all goes well, he will be able to support the rest of the children and maybe help us get out of poverty. I finally used the remaining amount on purchasing food that we still enjoy as a family to date.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I have been using old mats as my bedding. Even though they were not comfortable, I didn't have a choice since I didn't have enough money to buy a bed or a mattress. When I received the transfer, I bought new bedding. I bought a new mattress and a new bed. At least I could now enjoy a comfortable sleep unlike before. To me, having a place I could sleep comfortably is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard a notification message on my phone early that morning. I was still sleepy but was about to wake up and start the day's activities. When I read the contents, I realized it was from GiveDirectly. I was happy because the amount was enough to turn my life from being a beggar to someone with a decent source of income. The message brightened my day and I kept planning how best I would use the transfers.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 8000 of the first transfer to purchase four goats. I am hoping that they will reproduce and increase in number with time. This will make me wealthier because the more livestock one has is equivalent to the number of cows in that homestead. I am planning to sell the offspring and pay school fees for my children's. In addition to that, I also spent KES 11000 to buy a new mattress and a bed to replace my old bedding. Apart from that, I also spent KES 15000 to buy a welding machine to help my son to do his daily workshop activities. I am spending the remaining amount to cater for my household needs such as buying foodstuffs and other households items
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means more land and food security for my family. At the moment, we sit on half an acre piece of land, and this is where we also do our farming. That explains the kind of struggle that we go through to keep the family food secured. Therefore, we will use all of our transfers in purchasing additional land within the village. The good thing is; - land is still cheap here and with 1000 dollars, I can easily acquire 3 acres. I intend to utilize the land in maize farming and keeping goats. I have been spending a lot of money every year in purchasing food, particularly maize flour from the shops and that has been very constraining. I sometimes lack finances and those are the times we go to bed hungry.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day because it is at this moment when I feel refreshed and more energetic. As a casual laborer, this is the time that utilize fully in order to earn a daily wage.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of alternative sources of income has been the biggest hardship in life. A year ago, I used to work in the transport sector and our work was to ferry charcoal using a lorry. Life then was smooth and I could meet the family's needs with much ease. Then came the government directive that prohibited charcoal burning business. My boss couldn't keep up with the constant harassment from the government agencies and led to the untimely closure of business. Since then, I have been jobless and providing for the family has been a real struggle. At the moment, I survive on odd jobs within the village. Receiving this money will enable me to venture into agriculture, and that will better the wellbeing of the family.
