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 ($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?
The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving help from Give Directly is that I managed to buy a piece of land. I finally moved out of my parents' home since there was no enough space to develop myself. I always wanted to rear sheep and even start a family. I am glad because I now have the space that can hold about ten sheep. The previous land could barely hold three sheep. Because of GiveDirectly, I can now farm food crops. I feel independent because I now own land and I am free to utilize it whichever way I deem fit.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly brought a very good project for our village. We were so overwhelmed with their mode of operations and how they carried out their activities. Their way of offering assistance was so unique and life-changing. most lives were transformed as a result of their help. Personally, I did not have enough space in our parent's land. I, therefore, couldn't do farming. I also couldn't start a family because there was not enough space. I decided to work hard using the transfer. I finally managed to buy a piece of land that I am currently living in. This also enabled me to start a family. Even though I am late, I am glad that I finally managed to meet some of my goals.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
II spent my second transfer on a livestock trading business. I gave my husband part of the cash in order to expand his cattle trading business. It took about three months to get enough profits that I used to buy a piece of land that I now relocated to. In addition to that, I also bought food for my household and a few clothes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that our sources of income have been diversified. This means our living standards have also improved. Our goats are growing each day and life generally has improved. Now we are able to easily meet goals we could not meet before. We are basically living our dreams. I can't thank Give Directly enough for helping us this much. We are a true story of people who moved from grass to grace.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received a message on my phone, I knew they are normal messages I usually get from the local communication companies. I didn't believe my eyes when I found out the message was from Give Directly indicating my first transfers had been sent to me. I checked my account again to confirm whether the message had been forwarded by con men or it was real. I was so delighted when I found out they had actually fulfilled their promise. That is when I started having hopes of realizing my dreams.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of the money to buy seven goats. I chose to buy goats because their food is locally available, they require less attention and they can survive in harsh weather conditions. Apart from that, my husband and I decided to boost our business. We normally buy and resell livestock. So far we do not regret having invested in this business because we get good profit. We spent the remaining part of the money on buying clothes for my family members. In addition to that we also bought maize that would last us up to the next harvesting season. I thank Give Directly for choosing our village because they have changed our lives in a big way.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband has been involved in livestock auctioneering business for the past five years. He buys livestock within the week and resells them on two market days in Chebunyo market and Mulot market on Monday and Saturday respectively. Receiving this money means an opportunity for us to expand this business. My husband is going to invest a huge junk of the first and second transfers to buy more livestock for sale. If all goes well as per our plan, we intend to use proceeds accrued from this business to build a new house, buy a few goats and pays fees for our three children in school. My ambition is to move all our children from public primary to a private school in future so as to accord them quality education. Hopefully, these plans will soon be an inevitable reality thanks to GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a fulltime housewife. My day involves fetching water for domestic use in a river about 3 kilometers away from home, preparing meals for the family and looking after our cattle. It is until evening that I relinquish some of these duties to my children after they're out of school. This is the only moment I take a good rest and this is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I face in this place is the lack of water which forces me to take the cattle over long distances for pasture and water from morning till evening. This happens every day so much so that I had to forego a small grocery business I started at the beginning of this year.
