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 ($518 USD)
access_time 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 than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I am one step a head in life. First I have been able to build a spacious house for my family that can accommodate us comfortably. Also, I own an asset that I can rely on in case of a financial crisis. All this would have taken ages for me to accomplish had it not have been for GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by enrolling everyone in our village and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I bought some iron sheets to use in building a spacious kitchen for my family using my second transfer. Also, I bought a heifer as an investment that I can rely in in case of financial constraints. On the remaining amount, I bought food to last my family for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have built a better house for my family. We used to live in a small house that could not host all my family members comfortably. My children could spend nights at the neighbor's house. This was so risky because they could move during the right. I was so stressed because at times it could rain and this was making them feel demoralized. I depend on the casual jobs in the village and the small amount of money I could get was only enough for the basic needs and school fees. I could not get extra money to buy building materials to build a new house. Currently, I have built a better house and my children are no longer spending nights at the neighbor's house. They are no longer exposed to cold because of the movement the nights. They do their assignments on time without any disturbances. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our standard of living.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy. I remember it was very early in the morning around 5:00 AM when I heard the message from my phone. When I checked it I could not believe my eyes because I have never received such an amount of money before. I knew I would be able to build a better and spacious house for my family and pay part of the school fees for my children.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to built a better and spacious house for my family. We used to live in a small house which could not host all my family members comfortably and the rest of the money I used it to buy beddings, clothes, a heifer and pay part of the school fees for my children in school.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means i will be able to clear 280 USD next semester's fee arrears for my son who recently joined the university. I also have two other sons in secondary school hence i will be able to clear their next term's school fees with ease. The remaining part of my transfer (200 USD) will go to building them a house since at their teenage age, culture has it that they are not supposed to be sleeping under one roof with parents but we have had to let them sleep in the living room since we got no other option.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the time i am most happy after we have achieved all the activities my spouse and i had planned for the day, since it motivates us to look forward to better days ahead.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our main occupation in this family is both dairy and subsistence farming. However, for 5years now, our farm has not been productive due to prolonged droughts and unpredictable rains thus poor harvests. The two dairy cattle we rear produces 8 litres of milk per day during rainy seasons that we sell at ksh 30 per litre but during dry seasons the yields are three times lower. This has been the struggle we face in supporting education of our four children, two in primary school and two in secondary school.
