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 ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After achieving the priority goal that I had of acquiring land with the transfer, my new goal is to build a house in the new area and finally relocate. This will ensure the safety that I had been missing is achieved. I will be able to live closer to relatives and get assistance whenever encounter danger. Currently, I am living with 3 children in an area which is very far from others and too bush which made me constantly worried about our safety.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I feel GiveDirectly did well in the decision to send cash directly to beneficiaries' phones. This has reduced fraud and loss of money and ensured the recipients have the right over the transfers, especially, on how to spend it based on their priorities. I do not see anything that they are not doing well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had desired to acquire land that is adjacent to other people of the village. This is because I currently live with children in an area that is far away from rest and am always worried about our safety since it is very bushy. Additionally, my children are forced to walk long distances to school and other social amenities. I spent all the recent transfer and part of the first transfer to purchase a one-acre piece of land for the family that was sold at KES 85,000. Currently, I am happy owning land that is closer to others and looking forward to relocation. This will restore the peace of mind that I had lost for many years.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10am when my phone was at a charging station while I was busy building the nation at a quarry. When I picked the phone later before noon, I saw the transfer message from GiveDirectly which had been sent earlier. I was overwhelmed by receiving a huge amount of money. I ululated inwardly since I did not want people to know about my financial status.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am very grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly because it helped me solve problems that I had no means of solving them before. Through GiveDirectly I will be able to secure a piece of land since I am in the process of finding one.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, my desire was get a piece of land. But since their was no ready plot to buy, I used KES 17000.00 to buy some food for the family and and some clothes. I did this because as a family we were passing through a difficult situation in terms of getting some food. Thereafter, I saved KES 37000.00 for buying a piece of land so that I could get a place to build a home.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am in a polygamous marriage and when the first wife comes, my children always seek refuge from my neighbours because the house cannot accommodate us and even when visitors come they also have to seek shelter. Receiving this money means using 30,000 KES to build a two-room house that will accommodate my children. I will use the rest of the money to start goat keeping.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I used to cut trees to make charcoal but last year October 2021, I got a job at the mining site which is in Timboni. This brought joy and happiness to me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband fell from a palm tree while tapping palm wine and he has never been the same again economically. This means I have to struggle alone to bring food to the table as well as pay school fees for my children.
