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 ($492 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?
Before receiving the transfer, we used to live in a one room house and getting three meals a day was a problem. The transfers came in handy as it enabled me to build a more spacious house and bought some food for my family. Due to this, my life has changed since we now have some privacy all the time and we can now afford at least two meals a day.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial support and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The house we were living in was small and could not accomodate my growing family comfortably. This is because it was a one room house which served a our bedrokm, sitting room and kitchen for my family with this, we had not privacy at all. When I received my transfer, I decided to spend around KES 20,000 to build a more spacious house. I had already bought enough iron sheets using my first transfer and only had to buy the remaining materials like timber, nails and paid for the labor. In addition, I spent KES 19,000 to purchase a heifer. I settled on this as a way of reducing my daily expenditure on milk in future when it reproduces. Using the remaining amount, I bought some clothes and food stuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 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 1pm when I was in the shamba and I had heard a neighbour say that the transfer had arrived and I rushed to the house to check my phone and yes, it was true. I was very excited and told my family and they were very happy as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I can now own a cow which I never thought I would ever own since I am a single mother and my children wholly depend on me for food and school fees. This would have been hard to achieve but thanks to GiveDirectly I now have one.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought a cow and clothes for my family members. I also bought food to enjoy the festive season like everyone else. I also bought and fell a tree to build a house.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Reduced worries on housing unit is what receiving this money mean to me. My children are fast growing and I am already feeling the urge/pressure of building another house since in our culture, grown up boys cannot sleep under one roof with their parents. My intention therefore, is use Ksh 20,000 of my transfer to build a different house and save myself from shame that might arise in the near future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day generally entails working as a casual laborer in other peoples farms from morning until late in the evening. I use my evening preparing food for my family before going to bed. Having a peace of mind while sleeping makes night the happiest part of my day since I have nothing that occupies my mind.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is inadequacy of funds to cater for my family because my farming efforts have have proven futile due to the prevailing unfavourable weather conditions. As such, this has forced to resort to other income generating activities such as working as a casual laborer within the village. The casual labor I get depends on its nature since each work has different ratings in terms of pay yet it is hard to come by. Having a stable source of income in the near future will be a relief to me but I am still undecided on which to venture in.
