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 ($485 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The biggest difference is that I am a casual labourer who earns very little income, It is only enough to buy us food, a time we go to bed on an empty stomach, The house I was living in was too small and old, but we had to bear with it the way it was due to our finances, The transfer lifted the burden off my shoulders, In that, I was able to build a decent house with it, it's like a dream come true, that I did these within a short period, I was also able to stock enough foodstuff hence I am happy and indebted with the support that Has changed my living standards.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am knowledgeable of the GiveDirectly programs because of the field officers who took there time in educating us, I don't see anything that is not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I used 329 dollars in building a decent house for my family, the one that I had before was small and old, this has been my plan for a long period but it was not realised due to unreliable source of income, the remaining part of the money I used it in buying foodstuff for my family
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 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 around 9:30 AM when I was at my daily hustle when I heard my mobile phone ringing continuously. Since it was so unusual for me to receive a message at that particular hour, I even ignored it. Later on, I heard one of my colleagues mentioning GiveDirecytlu with a smile on her face. I definitely knew there was good news. Therefore I also decided to check my phone, only to realize I had received my first transer from GiveDirectly, I felt so happy and even decided to go back home and celebrated with my family
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I am now a proud owner of goats that I am currently keeping in my compound. These have been the long-time thoughtful assets that I had desired to keep in my compound but I could not afford it becasue of my poverty life that had stricken my household. I settled for goats because they have so many benefits as compared to the rest. Also, they produce faster not forgetting that their pasture is readily available in my village. In a few months to come, I am certain that they will reproduce and have many of them. My plan is that when they multiply, I will sell all the offsprings and save for my children who will be transitioning to secondary schools very soon. Also, I believe will be able to fend for my family, without much struggle through them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a bed and a mattress at a total of KES 13000. These were to replace the old traditional bed made of rope which I used to complain about since it was affecting my spinal cord. In addition, I bought livestock more so goats at a total of KES 17000. Also, I bought a few building materials such as building poles, ropes, and nails, this was for the addition of one room to my house since it had a single room that could not accommodate us all. Lastly, I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family and decent clothes because the initial ones were in a poor state.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me expand my farming activities. I will start by buying five goats to add to the three that I have. I will be able to sell some for school fees and other needs when they multiply. The five goats will cost me around 200USD. School fees has always been a problem for me. My daughter just completed her primary school studies and very soon she will need to join secondary school. This money will help a lot to facilitate her first year in secondary school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day in the evening. This is when I get to relax and have a good meal with my children at the end of the day. I rarely take lunch inorder to have a satisfactory meal in the evening. I spend the day doing house chores like fetching water and sometimes selling charcoal.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have six children. After giving birth to my fifth child I started developing some complications. After visiting the hospital I was told I had a problem with my reproductive system. This problem has been on and off and I frequent the hospital for medication. I have not been able to visit the hospital sometimes due to lack of money. Lack of money has also limited me from getting specialized medication. This health condition is what has been stressing me both financially and emotionally for almost 10 years.
