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 ($455 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I live in a single room with my two children which has not been comfortable because I don't get my privacy as a parent. My new goal is to build a two bedroom house which I believe it has enough space to accommodate all of us.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is uplifting the poor in the society like me. Through the unconditional cash transfers, we are able to empower ourselves in various way. I am forever grateful for the support that I got because I'm sure that my life will nolonger be the same again
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of two and I have been doing farming to earn living. It has not been easy raising these children alone because one of them it physically challenged and requires 100% care. This has denied me opportunity to look for casual jobs and therefore, I usually sell part of my farm produce to get other basic needs and pay school fees for the older one. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed with bills especially when I have not had a good harvest and it becomes difficult to pay school fees. I have always wanted to buy a dairy cow so that I can supplement my income through selling milk but financial constraints has been the biggest challenge. I spend KES 20,000 of my recent transfer to pay school fees balance for my child and the balance to buy dairy cow. With this cow, I'm hopeful that it won't be much of a struggle moving forward like it has been .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at the farm tending to my crops, that was when I saw a message notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I could not believe my eyes, I was overwhelmed with so much joy and happiness, it came as big relief because I knew that I will be able to buy for myself a dairy cow, which I was unable to purchase all these years due to unreliable source of income, I am so thankful for the support that has changed my living standard to a higher level.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I feel fulfilled and happy, this is because I now own a daily cow, it is like a dream come true, in that, I never thought that I would be able to own one due to financial constraints, I am glad that I can save up on the cost of buying milk daily which was becoming extremely expensive, GiveDirectly has lifted my life from where it was to a higher level in the society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I already had a plan in place on how I would spend my money, it came as a very big relief because I knew that I would be able to purchase a dairy cow, buying milk daily is very expensive, this is because a litre sells at KES 50, therefore I used KES 30,000 in purchasing a cow, I then used KES 10,000 in paying for the school fees arrears for my children and finally, I used the remaining amount of the money in buying foodstuffs and clothes. I am so happy that I was able to accomplish all the goals that I had in a short period.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing conditions for my family and hope for good education for my child. This is because I am currently living in a dilapidated house. I took over this house from my brother who was moving away from it some 3 years ago due to the bad conditions. I just had to occupy it because I have two children who need shelter and I couldn't continue depending on my parents who have grown old and by then they had other struggles in paying for the education of my siblings. The roof is leaky and has unstable walls due to the posts that have been eaten away by termites. This usually gives me so much worry that it might one day collapse on us but am sure in the next few weeks we will have a new shelter. I would like also to spend this money to buy 3 calves and in 3 years time when my son will be joining high school, it will help me to settle his high school fees at once. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for giving me the peace of mind that I have desired for so long.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We have had challenges with farming in this area for the last 5 years. This place has become so arid with unpredictable weather but this year the rains have been consistent and I have a hope that we shall have a harvest soon. This is what has brought joy to me over the last six months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a disabled child in my house who needs constant caregiving and I am a single mother that means I have to provide for the family also. It is so challenging because I cannot leave the house to go look for casual jobs that last the whole day. I end up coming back home early with so little. We do not have enough food as a result of this. The housing conditions also are so challenging to me, it is inhabitable but we have no option.
