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 ($490 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?
In my community, it's very rare for a lady to be given a share of land by her parents and as a single parent, I knew that it would reach a point when my brothers would send me out of our parents land. My transfers came in handy as it enabled me to purchase a piece of land. This has totally changed my life from how it would have been had I not received the transfer. Currently, I have an asset to call my own and I believe that I will soon be moving out from my maternal home after building my own house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by uplifting people's lives through cash transfer and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single parent and had build my house in my parents land as I plan on buying mine. When I received my transfer, I decided to buy a piece of land after topping up some amount. I settled on this so that I would move out of my parents land also have a place to call my own. Also, where I bought this land is near my place of work hence I will not miss to go home especially during rainy season where I was usually forced to sleep in my shop as I would not get any motorcycle to take me home due to bad weather roads.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 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 at 7:00qam when I received the message while I was taking breakfast and my phone was charging. On looking at the message and it was the GiveDirectly transfer, I sang to thank God which woke my son and he was also very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My maize business which had flopped has really picked up well. Since most of my village mates received the transfer, they come to buy maize from me, which they now do it in bulk e.g. 3 bags or 2 bags unlike before when it could take about 3 days for 1 bag to sell.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to have a maize business and I expanded the business. From the returns, I want to buy land.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As an unmarried women and parent to my two children, we have been living under the mercies of God and that of my parents. My father gave me a house to live in as I strive to get my own piece of land where I will build my own house. Since I have never managed to acquire adequate money for running the projects, receiving this money means that I shall afford to purchase about 0.2 acres of land and build my own house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening when counting some profits from my small grocery business. This is the moment that I feel blessed and I greatly thank God for the day's tasks and gains.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is the betrayal by the father to my two children. The man had initially promised to marry me but later on refused to accomplish it, leaving me with all the responsibilities of caring, educating and providing for my kids. This is a tough challenge to me because I do not have a reliable source of significant income.
