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 ($509 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is now different because I now own some dairy cows. I settled in purchasing dairy cows because I can sell some I case of any emergency or tragedy comes along in life in addition to that I be getting plenty of milk which I will be selling in the local market and to neighbors, and the money got from the sell will be used for the start of a kiosk business.this will be an additional income that will help settle all the bills and my household expenses.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did so well in various sectors. First, Inonditionality part, I was given the freedom to choose what I would wish to purchase. Secondly, the enrolment was free and fair, there was no discrimination provided you are a resident in that particular village. Again, I don't see any sector that GiveDirectly failed us in any way.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying two dairy cows worthy of KES 33000. In then bought a solar panel which cost KES 4000, previously I was using the candles which were very expensive. I then bought some beddings which include bed and mattress at 11000 to replace the old traditional bed that I have been using ever since I was married. I then paid some hospital bills for my children of KES 2000. The remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning a spacious permanent house for my children is the biggest difference in my daily life. I have been longing to build one for a long period of time but due to my financial status, I could not afford it. My previous house was small and it could no longer accommodate us all, my children were all grown up it was not right to share with them the same house. They used to seek shelter from their friends every night and this made them so unhappy always. As a parent, I always felt I had failed them but then it wasn't my fault. After constructing the house, they are no longer stressed and this is making me be jovial as well. GiveDirectly has really brought happiness in our lives in so many ways because to me sometimes I always feel its a dream. All in all, thank God for bringing GiveDirectly in my village.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am when I was still on my bed then I heard my phone vibrating continuously which was not normal. I was a bit anxious. Then I decided to check what the notification was all about. I could not believe what I saw! It was an mpesa message from GD. I really couldn't hold my joy I decided to pray and started to plan on what to buy.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, building poles, and nails to construct a house for my sons because we were previously sharing the same house which was very small. I then cleared the hospital bill for my children because they have been very ill and I almost lost hope. I then school fees and bought them some pair of school uniforms. Later on, I bought some enough foodstuffs for my family that would take us to the next harvesting season.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have long been living in an open-roofed house but with the help of my elder son who is doing casual activities at Mombasa, he managed to buy for me 20 pieces of iron sheets for roofing. These pieces were not enough and he could not purchase more due to financial challenges hence, half of the roof is still open. In addition to this, I spend my nights on the floor something that gives me backaches in the mornings. My first plan is to spend at most $150 to finish roofing my house and purchasing of beddings. This will open a new chapter for my life since I have never owned a wooden bed plus a mattress. On the other hand, my second plan is to spend $2800 to buy indigenous dairy cows since they are cheap to rear and this will assure me of milk to sell when they give birth in the future. In addition, I intend to buy an oxen and ox plow to help me in upscaling my farming. Hence, a transformed life that I have long wished.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day since it is at this time when I am assured of getting my dinner. The sharing of meals with my family members gives me the feeling of joy. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I work in my farm hungry.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the biggest hardship in my life that I have ever faced. I am a subsistence farmer who depends on traditional means of farming like the use of a hoe. This method is so strenuous but because I have no other option, I am forced to rely on it since hiring an oxen means paying a fee of Ksh2000 per acre and this is so impossible to me. In most cases, my farm produce is very low which usually sustains me for 2 months. I am now happy to learn that, I will own an oxen once I receive the transfers from GiveDirectly.
