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 ($524 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 currently different in that I have made some important accomplishments that I would not have accomplished had I not received these transfers. I have been able to pay school fees for my children, bought a cow and even improved the house that we stay in. This has transformed my life in ways I never expected.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did so well in uplifting the living standards of the people in our village. The fact that they gave out their support unconditionally meant that we all received transfers from GiveDirectly to uplift our lives. We feel so much indebted to GiveDirectly for this and we are looking forward to even better times ahead. I did not find anything about GiveDirectly that I thought they should improve on. They were very fair in how they carried out their operations.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used part of my second transfer to buy a cow and used the remaining amount to pay school fees for my son. I chose to buy a cow since I did not have one and I knew very well that this was going to help me in the long run in even meeting the daily needs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($529 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I used to depend on casual and manual jobs in order to earn and pay my children's school fees and to meet other needs. The biggest difference in my daily life, therefore, is that I am now comfortable and no longer overwork myself. I am also glad that I now live in a new and a bigger house compared to my previous house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a normal morning and one of my friends called inquiring if I had received some money. I checked and found out that indeed, I had received the transfer that had been promised by Give Directly. I got very excited and passed the wonderful news to my family!
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I built a house using the transfer received. The house I initially lived in was getting smaller considering my growing family. I also bought a cow for rearing since the one I had died. I used the rest of the transfers to buy some clothes and food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My wife and I live in a tiny hut with our nine children. I have always desired to build a bigger house especially for my grown up children so as to accord them the dignity they deserve.
I am a tea plucker. This is a casual job I have endured for about 20 years so as to fend for my large family. The dues I have always earned can only cater for their food and a few items for school leaving me with nothing to save. Receiving this money is a turn around in my life. I am planning to build a bigger house for the eleven of us and purchase a dairy cow with the remaining amount. This will ease the burden of having had to buy milk to sustain my family for the last two decades. I have never been this excited, I know this windfall will change my life for the better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work so hard to provide for my large family. I am a plucker in a far away tea farm and only come home every weekend bringing food for the family. Interacting with them in the evening while monitoring their weekly progress is the most fulfilling moment. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Three of my first born children have dropped out of school all because I did not have the financial capability to take them through secondary education. This pains me everyday. I am a casual labourer in a tea farm whereas my wife is unemployed. My efforts alone cannot fend for the umpteen mouths in the family as well as give them education. Seven of my other children are in primary school at the moment and my biggest worry is that they may not transition to secondary school due to my dire financial situation. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
