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 ($420 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
This year I will focus mostly on nourishment because it is quite a predicament for me especially considering that I'm quite old and can barely earn living for myself thus I rely on my kids. I would also love to purchase a couple more goats because I am sure they will come in handy financially.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I almost lack words to express my gratitude to this organization. I never had a house prior to meeting Give directly and neither did I own any animals. I feel that I have been elevated to a place where I can sustain myself better as compared to before which I am quite grateful for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my first transfers I ended up spending almost the entire mountain building myself a house because I did not have one. Unfortunately when the money ran out I had not completely finished up on a couple of things. Therefore, when I received the second transaction I proceeded to do the finishing to my house, install a door and paid for the labor as well which cost me about KES 10,000. Since I didn't have any household items in my house I proceeded to buy a couple which included a bed and a mattress as well which rounded up to KES 10,000. I also wanted to make an investment on my farm so that it could help me financially down the line hence I spent KES 20,000 in purchasing eight goats. Lastly I spent the little balance I had on me on nourishment.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 4 pm when I was at the bush collecting firewood for the preparation of dinner for my family. Being illiterate, I did not realize that I had received my transfer. My helper followed me in the bush to inform me that my colleagues have received the transfer and wanted to confirm in my account if I had received them too. After checking I was very happy to be informed that I was among the people who received the aid.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I currently live in a decent house after constructing one with my transfer. In addition, I am spending my night on proper beddings which have reduced the persistent backache. I am very happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for restoring my dignity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 of my transfer to construct a decent shelter for myself. This is because, for over 6 years, I have been living in a small grass-roofed house that is leaking. I had desired to own a decent shelter but I lacked the financial capacity to purchase the required building materials. My livelihood of charcoal burning earns me a very little income of utmost KES 3000 per month which I spent all of it on food. I also spent KES 3000 to seek proper medical care, since I had continuous backache. In addition, I bought proper beddings for KES 11,000. Previously, I was sleeping on the floor. With the remaining amount, I bought one goat to start livestock rearing an investment for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow who returned home after my spouse passed on. This is because, the house I was residing in collapsed and I was homeless. Nobody was ready to help me. I returned home 10 years ago. When I came back, my brother built a small hut where I currently live in. I have no bed which forces me to spread sacks on the dust floor to sleep. This is very dangerous, especially when a snake sneaks inside at night. However, I have no choice because I do not have a source of income to buy a bed. I depend on charcoal burning business which earns me 600 KES a week or even a month. This is because there are no more trees for burning charcoal. So in most cases, you may end up getting one sack of charcoal in a month which goes at 600 KES. Upon receiving the cash transfer, I will build a one bedroom house, buy a decent bed and a mattress. I will then use the remaining amount to buy goats that I will sell when they multiply.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month, I made sales of three sacks that goes at 600 KES each. This made me happy because I had stayed for three months without making any sale. During the three months, I was borrowing food from neighbours at least one meal a day. When I sold my charcoal, I made a profit of 1800KES. I felt very much excited since I was assured of food for the next three months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income is the main challenge that I am facing. Imagine being a returnee and the stigma that comes with it especially when you have no one to depend on. This is the situation that I am in currently. I am an old woman who has no more energy to engage in economic activities like before. However, since I have no one to depend on, I cannot sit down a starve myself to death. I have to work regardless of my age. So I do charcoal burning that takes me a lot of time like a whole month to get a sack of charcoal. This has made life more difficult. My ambition has been to own livestock that I will be rearing and sell when they multiply. Due to the persistent drought facing our land, the only domestic animals that do well are goats. I will therefore use part of the cash transfer to buy goats that I will sell when they multiply as an investment for my life.
