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
55000 KES ($436 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal now is to continue saving some money to renovate my house. I would wish my house to look decent and this is my main goal for now.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does a good job in that its program is well planned all the way from training to receiving the money. Most of the people in the community invested in their transfer well since they were well-trained. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $250 on purchasing sofa set seats, beds and tables. I have always wanted to purchase this furniture but I did not have the money. I depend majorly on small-scale farming and the products that I get are so small that I was not able to get the surplus to sell. whenever I had visitors there were no decent seats and this was so demoralizing. I am so happy because I am no longer shy from welcoming visitors into my house like before. I purchase a sky blast for storing clean water for drinking. The remaining amount of money I spent on food, clothes and utensils. I am so grateful because I was able to meet all these items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($466 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I can recall that I was at home relaxing since I am old and no longer energetic to work. I heard my phone ringing and upon checking, I saw a message notification on my phone. I waited for my son to arrive so that he can verify the message and interpret it for me. When my son came, he confirmed that I had received the cash transfer. I was extremely happy to receive my cash transfer since I had planned in place how to spend it to transform my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to construct a decent house. The one that I was living in before was grass-thatched and it was leaking. I was unable to construct a house before due to old age and financial constraints. I am so grateful for the support that gave me a chance for me to improve my living standards amazingly. Words cannot express how happy and fulfilled I am to have achieved so much in a short time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At my age, I can no longer engage myself in any farm work since I am not energetic enough due to old age. I depend on my children for my daily upkeep. Upon receiving my transfer, I thought of building a decent house for my family. This is because the house that I was living in was old, grass-thatched and the roof was leaking. I was forced to put up in the house due to financial constraints. Therefore I used KES 40,000 on constructing a decent house. I then used the remaining amount on foodstuffs. I am so grateful for the transfer that lifted my living standards and thus gave me joy in my old age.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I currently live is a very old hut that leaks when it rains heavily. This keeps me worried because I may develop pneumonia in my old age. Receiving this money comes as a relief for me because I plan to spend approximately KES 20,000 to build a bigger house so that we can comfortably live in it with my 3 grandchildren. I will use the remaining amount to purchase food and clothing for my grandchildren.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I heard that GiveDirectly is coming to enroll us, I was hopeful that I will finally overcome my financial challenges. My joy was amplified today now that GiveDirectly is enrolling me in their program. Thank you so much.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I live with my 3 orphaned grandchildren. In my old age, I cannot fend for them as I used to before. This means that we have to rely on other people to provide for us which is not the case always. Sometimes we sleep hungry because of lack of food. I am always worried each day because I am not sure if we will get something to eat. Lack of finances is therefore my biggest challenge.
