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 ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly for me because I do not have a continuous source of income. I depend on small scale farming and casual jobs in the village to earn an income. I also had no extra money to purchase the dairy cow. When I received the second transfer I found it wise to invest on dairy farming. I bought a dairy cow and this has enabled me to reduce the daily cost that I was always incurring. I no longer get stress up whenever I have visitors around. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard. My plans is to improve this dairy farming to another level.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to pay school fees for their children. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing a dairy cow. I used to buy milk daily and this was so costly. I also paid school fees for my children in various schools. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my family members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 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 at 1pm when I was in the shamba weeding maize when I heard a message beep on my phone. When I saw that it was the GiveDirectly transfer, I stopped what I was doing immediately and went home to tell my wife about the transfer and she was very happy as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
We had run short of food that we had harvested and borrowing back in the village bore no fruits since everyone had made a little harvest. Thanks to GiveDirectly we have enough food and my sons are also happy that they have their own house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I built a house for my son who has been sleeping at his cousin's house since he did not have his own. I also bought clothes for my children,bought a young heifer and paid school fees for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire has been to start a reliable source of income but due to lack of capital, this has been a deadly hope. Receiving this money means that I Will fulfill my life's desire of starting a small business. I intend to spend at most 10,000 shillings to lease a retail shop at my nearby Center, the remaining amount I will use to stock. This will earn me a daily income that can sustain the needs of my family, paying school fees, and providing basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Seeing my children taking meals especially during dinner time gives me the feeling of happiness because it is a clear indication that I have fulfilled my responsibility as a breadwinner. This evening is my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is providing for my five children's basic needs. Being a farmer, I depend on planting maize, potatoes at my one-acre farm but this has not been productive since our area normally experiences prolong drought.
