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
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 life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have build a spacious house. I used to live in a small grass thatched house which was almost falling apart. I depend on small scale farming and the harvest that we get is only for consumption. I do not have continues source of income or extra money to build a house. I also have children in various schools and this was my first priority to sort out. When I received the second transfer I found it wise to build a better house. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard. I no longer stress up on where to host visitors. My children are also happy because the have there own rooms where they can do assignment without any disturbance.
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 buy dairy cows. 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 and spacious house. We used to live in small grass thatched house which could not host all the family comfortably. I also bought a dairy cow to cut the daily cost of buying milk which is so expensive, I paid the school fees for my children in various schools and finally bought food and sofa set seats. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on 17th Dec at 1 pm when I was just about to leave the shamba when my phone beeped. I gave my child to check it out for me since I do not know how to read and he told me it was the GiveDirectly transfer and I was so excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I used to live in a very small house and whenever we had visitors they had nowhere to sleep. I therefore decided to build a bigger house. I am so grateful for GiveDirectly for helping me get a house and now I look forward to having visitors at my house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I built a house and bought 1 bag of maize and bought a sheep.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been making and trading on cooking pots within my vicinity and nearby open-air markets. As such, receiving this money means that I shall expand my business by making more pots and venturing into larger markets. Eventually, I shall enjoy a higher standard of living owing to an anticipated increase in my household income. As a single lady without any other source of income or people to depend on, I will greatly thank GiveDirectly for empowering me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Each day I wake up early to handle some household chores coupled with my subsistence farming asks. Thereafter, I embark on my pot-making project. Thus, the happiest part of my day is in the evening when I have accomplished each activity. This is the time that I take some rest while evaluating and appreciating the value of my work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
While I was in grade four, I developed epilepsy that took me several years before I got healed. The ailment adversely impacted my life as a child and a young parent. Precisely, I had to drop out of school due to the disorder. Also, I could not handle certain tasks. Though medical costs were too expensive for us, I greatly thank God for healing me. Hence, suffering from epilepsy serves as the biggest hardship I have faced in life.
