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 ($442 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I built a medium house and I believe in the coming years I would be able to complete more big houses. I am a farmer and as well as I keep livestock such as sheep, goats and cows. I would also want to increase the number of livestock that I have as they are a sign of great wealth in my community.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is one blessed organization that really helps the needy without discrimination. I am really happy that GiveDirectly came and gave me money that has no strings attached to it. Thank you so much GiveDirectly, it's because of you guys that I was able to build my house and at least have a place to call home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a father of one child and I have an industrious wife who always helps me in decision making. The moment I received my transfer, I sat down with my wife and we made an agreement that we needed to build a new house. Our old muddy house could no longer contain us and it was really giving me and my family self esteem issues. Before the transfers, we bought building stones and land but we had no money to pay for labour and not even enough to start the foundation. The moment I received my transfers, I made an agreement not to spend the transfers on anything else apart from fully investing it in my home construction. I started the foundation of my home and the second transfer was also used to complete my house. At least now I have a place to call home and I am really one happy man who can now confidently interact with everyone in my village.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the afternoon when I received my transfer, I was at home relaxing when I had my phone vibrating, upon checking I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was so happy and excited, I immediately informed my wife who was also grateful for the support that we had received we knew that we will use it in boosting the ongoing project, we then embarked on planning on how we would spend our transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am a farmer and my wife is a teacher, we had started constructing our dream house in the village, we did not expect that it will cost us so much money, this is because of the cost of living that has gone up and everything was expensive in the market, including the cost of transportation. Therefore I was able to use my transfer in buying other materials that were needed without any worry simply because of the transfer, I was so relieved that the money came at the right time of need and I did not run up and down this time around. We are grateful that the organization kept its promise of giving us the support which has lifted our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had an ongoing project of building a house, My wife and I had started building a decent house in the village, we needed a big house that could comfortably accommodate us and our guests, The transfer came as a big relief in our lives because we knew that it will be able to buy some of the materials and other building necessities, therefore I used KES 54,000. We are glad that transfer brought us close to our goal, in that we were able to move a step further.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The house that i am living in is very old,it has a leaked roof that cannot be repaired. When it rains it is very cold and uncomfortable to stay and sleep inside.Receiving this money would mean very soon i will have a good and safe house for my family. I am currently halfway building a permanent house but the money i get from my dairy farming is not enough hence i cannot buy all the building materials needed at once.I still need $1800 to finish the house.40 bags of cement at $250, sand costing$100and 40 pieces of iron sheets at $250 and $400 will cater for labour. It will be of great help to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
On a normal day i go cutting grass for the cows and making sure they have enough feeds for the day. After milking and delivering milk that i sell, i feed the cows and take them to the field to graze. Am always happy in the afternoon as that is the time i get to rest after doing my chores which makes me feel fullfilled.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a dairy farmer, i often loose cows through deadly diseases.There is a disease called ECF (East Coast Fever) that killed 6 of my cows at once. That was ksh 150,000 lost in the investment i made. I really felt discouraged and almost gave up with farming but through a training i received from a local agricultural officer i learnt how to control the diseases.
