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 ($492 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 life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have build a better house for my sons. They used to live in a small grass thatched house which was so old and almost leaking from inside. I depend on casual jobs in the village and also small scale farming. The Amount of money that I get through this is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family. I didn't had extra money to saved so that I can build a house. When I received the second transfer I build a better house for them. They are now living comfortably without any stress like before. They are no longer worried. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to pay school fees for their children. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on building a better house for my sons.The used to live in small grass thatched house which was so old. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes. I am so grateful because my children now live in good house.
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 was still asleep when I heard my phone beep. On checking the message and it was the GiveDirectly transfer, I quickly jumped out of bed and woke up my children whom we celebrated together.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The little money I have been making has always been channelled to food and school fees and I would not have been able to buy a cow at this time. Now that I have bought a cow and paid school fees, I feel at peace and I can channel money to food and other basic needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I paid school fees for my son who is in Form four. I bought a young heifer, 2 bags of maize and clothes for myself and my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My desire has always been to see my children study to college level. Currently I have four children who are actively in school and paying them school fees is an uphill task to me and my husband. This has been a source of stress to us as a family. I also wish to buy a cow worth 25000 shillings. This will enable me to safe a lot as I have been spending so much in buying milk for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My typical day involves working in people's farms as a casual labourer. This is the only way to get additional income to support my family. The happiest part of my day is evening hours because this is the time I get to rest from the hard day's work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Having to feed my family has been the biggest nightmare to me. When corona virus was first reported in Kenya, the government ordered closure of all schools. This meant that all my children came home at ago and providing for them has not been easy. We depend on farming as our main source of livelihood and lately we have not been getting good harvest. Personally, I got only five sacks of maize from the one acre piece of land and this is hardly enough to feed my family of nine children.
