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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My is different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I am now sleeping in a comfortable bed with proper beddings. previously, I was using the old rags as beddings which was not comfortable at all. In addition, I was able to improve the condition of the house by building pillar. Most importantly I was able to seek proper medical care for my wife who has been unwell for a very long time. I lack the financial muscles to get proper medication but through the aid she is now recovering well. Lastly, I was able to start livestock rearing a future investment for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for giving out unconditionally cash transfer which has helped many households. Furthermore, we were given the right to plan on how to use the cash to transform our lives for the better. Additionally, we were trained by the GiveDirectly officers on how use the cash wisely.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My desire was to start livestock rearing as my reliable source of livelihood for my family. I spent my transfer to purchase one cow for 140 dollars this is my future investment for the family. I will be able to sale the offspring whenever I face any financial challenge. In addition, I will have constant milk supply for the family and sale the extra litres to my neighbors to earn a living. I also, I purchase warm clothes for every member of the family. In addition, I improved the condition of my house by building pillars so that it may be strong to withstand the heavy rains. The remaining amount assisted me to purchase enough food supply for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I learned that I had received my first transfers at around eight in the morning. Due to the excitement that I had, I had to return back him and shared the good news with the rest of my family members. It's indeed an unforgettable day in my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now sleep comfortably in a nice bed. For all those years I have been seeing on the old traditional beds without even a mattress and I was so uncomfortable and I was always complaining of back pains as a result of this. Also, I was attacked by some bedbugs and some other harmful insects. For all that time my life has been so miserable and I never thought of owning a decent wooded bed and a mattress even a single day. My life has now changed completely and I am grateful for everything.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some beddings such as a new bed, a mattress and bedsheets. This was to replace the old traditional bed that I have bee using all those years. I then cleared some hospital bill for my spouse who had an accident since last year and had a fracture on her left leg. She was unable to walk on her own, I am glad she is now recovering courtesy of GiveDirectly. In addition to that, I bought some building poles to renovate my house since it was in poor condition. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it buying enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means changing my livelihood to a standard that is admirable. I can not imagine at my age, I have never slept on a mattress unless I am a visitor to my relatives. This is so because with the many responsibilities I have in my family, say educating my children and food provision, beddings to me is a luxury. When I hard about the coming of GiveDirectly, my hopes of buying a wooden bed plus a mattress got awakened and I am now confident that soon I will be enjoying my sleep and my plan is to spend $120 to accomplish this desire. On the other hand, I also plan to reinforce my house with hardcores in order to make it more strong because it is made of poles with mud. This will guarantee me a standard of life that I have ever wished to live in.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My security work requires me to spend the entire night at the school and this means staying away from my family members. I only come home in the morning when I am tired and sleepy such that I go straight to bed. It is only in the afternoon when I wake up to see my children and share our lunch meal. Seeing my children and the talk we have gives me the feeling of happiness and this makes the afternoon being the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a security man at our nearby school and this is the only job that has been relied on by my family. The income from this job is very little($50) per month and since this salary is from the parent's contributions, sometimes I receive my pay very late, and this inconveniences me. Meeting my family's very basic needs like food, proper beddings, and school fees has been a challenge and I always feel this life treats me unfairly. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
