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
access_time almost 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I hope to buy a piece of land as soon as I raise enough money. I was not lucky to get married so I'm still living at my parents' home. I would wish to get a big piece of land that costs between $700 to $800. I'm hoping to save money from my hotel business to be able to acquire that land.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly did well to give us free transfers, this really uplifted our livelihoods. Personally, I built my own house and it is so satisfying. You have empowered me to start my own business, thank you so much Give Directly, may you also help others too. Keep up with the same spirit since there is nothing to improve on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I own a small hotel. I'm a single mother of 3 children and automatically a bread winner. I used the first transfer to build a house but I didn't complete the roof. So I bought 14 iron sheets @ $8, 3kg of nails worth $5 and paid $180 for labour. I'm grateful that my house is finally complete and I literally have a roof over my head. Before we used to sleep in my mother's house which was also collapsing, so sometimes I would go around begging for a place to sleep from my neighbours. It was so stressful because I couldn't even enjoy my own privacy. I'm extremely happy now because my children have got their own house, infact they have a different room from mine, let me tell you, the freedom here is out of this world! I also spent $105 on 3 goats, unfortunately, 2 of them fed on cassava leaves and died. I had hopes that they would reproduce sooner so that I can start selling them and even buy a cow. I really thank God because the 1 that was remaining has already given birth. I then used $170 to start a small hotel that I'm currently operating. I'm grateful because it has created an employment for me. Before I used to work at a mining site where I would cut stones all day long! This was so tiresome and most of the time I would fall sick. Finally, I used $40 to pay school fees for my 3 children who are in primary school. Thanks so much Give Directly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I can vividly recall that I was at the mining site still busy with the day's work. Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing loudly, Upon checking I confirmed that I had received money from GiveDirectly. The thought of receiving such a huge of money was so refreshing that forgot that I was tired after a long day in the sun. I was overwhelmed with happiness because I knew that I would be able to achieve my dreams. We then embarked on planning how we would spend our transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My daily life changed to a higher living status in society. I am a proud businesswoman earning a daily income from my business. The future of my children is secured because I know that with determination, I will be able to grow my business to a bigger one thus seeing them through their education. Receiving money from GiveDirectly has been a great blessing in my life and I am forever grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Working at the mine can be hectic and risky at the same time. Though we are forced to work there to make ends meet. I had started developing some health complications due to the dust. Upon the receipt of my initial transfer, I opted to use my initial transfer in building and starting up a business in Ganze town where I spent KES26,000. Secondly, I used KES 18,000 in buying a cow and KES 17,000 in renovating our house. All this would not have been possible without the support from GiveDirectly. My three children are all happy and grateful for the gift that lifted our living status amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother living with my three children. I separated with my husband nine years ago. Since then, life has not been easy to me. I depend on casual jobs which gives me approximately KES 5000 per month. This is not sufficient to pay school fees and also provide other necessities for the family. My children have stayed at home for two consecutive terms due to a lack of school fees. I will use KES 80000 to buy twenty goats as an investment. This will help me raise fees for my children in the future thus improving their performance at school. I will also use KES 20000 to clear all the fee balances at school. The remaining KES 10000 will be used to buy food for the family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My children lack school uniforms and most of the time are sent out of school by the headteacher. I have struggled to get them uniform but in vain. In early April 2022, my cousin bought school uniforms for all my three children. They have an assurity of going to school every day now. My children's uniform brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a single parent, it is hard to provide for the family necessities because I do not have a job. My brothers say that they cannot feed a family that came from another home. So my children are suffering in terms of food. Lack of job is the current challenge I am facing in life.
