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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($458 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a new goal that I did not have before which is to make sure that I own at least a good number of goats. I trust that by having them, I will no longer have to strain like before, especially in paying fees for my children considering that I am the breadwinner relying on meagre jobs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly has been doing so great ever since they started visiting my village. This is because the majority of us now have a good number of cows, goats, and sheep. This has been the dream of most of us but because of the high levels of poverty, none of us could afford it. I do not see any part that deserves a change from the organisation.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying iron sheets, building poles, threads, timber, nails, and labour charges at a total of KES 34000. I had intended to build a new house because the previous one was very small, it could barely accommodate all my ten family members. It was always stressful because I had to seek shelter from my neighbours every evening who resided very far from the village we lived in. Also during the rainy seasons, I could hardly sleep because our house could leak causing lots of damage. I am therefore so happy to have finally reunited with my family. With the remaining amount of money, I had to buy food and settled all the pending bills.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While sharpening my axe to leave for the field to cut some logs to make charcoals for sale, I heard a message popping into my phone. Since I am illiterate, I requested my helper to confirm what kind of a message it was. Upon confirming, it was the first transfer from GiveDirectly. My heart danced in happiness for receiving the promised amount of money as well as knowing that the life hardships were going to be minimized.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I was relying on making and selling charcoals for me to pay school fees for my children. This business was not a reliable one since sometimes I could not get customers, while other times I was faced with natural conditions which cannot be avoided such as rainfall making it hard to make the charcoals. I appreciate GiveDirectly because, from the day I received the transfer, I was able to clear all the pending fee arrears as well as pay the term fees for my children hence cannot be sent home for fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, I aimed at building a new house because the one I had was very small and congested and hence could not accommodate my family well. Therefore, I bought some building materials such as 24 pieces of iron sheets for KES 21900.00, and poles and nails for KES 9000.00. I also paid KES 5000.00 for school fees for my five primary school children and bought them school uniforms which cost KES 2500.00. Thereafter, I used the remaining amount to pay the contractor as well as to buy some food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow of 7 children with a singled room house, my children seek refuge from other people's homes away from my compound. Receiving this money means better accommodation for them. I intend to build a new house with spacious space where all my seven children can sleep in. This will prevent early pregnancies which are prone in our area. I will ensure they have better beddings so that they can at least be proud to call our place home. With the remaining amount, I will buy food and clear all the school balances remaining. I feel grateful my dream will come true of possessing a new home.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I burn charcoal for sale, I had burnt ten sacks to sell but I did not have ready customers. Last month a truck came to my compound and bought all my charcoal with cash. This brought joy to my life, I was able to pay all debts and buy food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently, we do not have a school nearby, my children have to walk for a distance of 17 kilometers to access education. We are covered by thick forests which are prone to snakes. I feel nervous when my children walk that forest to school. I have to escort them daily to school which makes me inefficient in my daily activities. I hired a motorbike to take them every day and pay 500 KES per day which is too much for me to pay because I do not have any source of income.
