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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
About two years ago I moved back to the village from another town to come take care of my father who was gravely ill. Times were hard and I barely had a job to even support the both of us. After sometime he passed away and I decided I would not back to where I resided before but rather just settle back home. This entire time I was living in the house of one of my relatives and I eventually decided I would love my own house. The structure was made through the help of some labourers but it was a mere structure made from timber because I had no money at the time. Lucky enough, soon after we were visited by GiveDirectly and got introduced to the program they had, it honestly felt like God Himself heard my prayers. Soon after I started receiving the transfers and I invested most of it in building my house. Same situation occurred with the recent transfers I received where I used KES 2,000 to buy dried palm tree leaves known as Makuti which would be used as the roof to my house and then used KES 1,000 to purchase sand to help in the construction.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother with three children who are above 18yrs of age.I was working before my father fell ill and died so i decided to came back home and at the moment I don't have a home have been living with a neighbour .My first transfer was used to buy palm tree leaves which are commonly used for roofing I bought 50 stacks for kshs 1000 and bought maize flour with the kshs 200.The second transfer I bought more palm tree leaves for kshs 2000 and paid for the sand with the kshs 1000.The third transfer I bought more palm tree leaves for kshs 1000 hence enough for the roofing and paid for the sand for kshs 1000 and because of lack of water used the rest of the funds to buy water.I am excited because at the end of the month I will be moving in to my house.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly projects are one of a kind. This is because not everyone is ready to give unconditional money to the vulnerable. Thanks to this money I will be able to have a comfortable home. God is the overseer of everything and I am grateful toward him to bring Give directly into my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Thanks to Give directly sending me this cash transfer I have been able to take up my old goal of finishing my home which I had started building but gave up due to financial difficulties. I decided to buy new roofing worth KES.1500 and also was able to pay the worker who would be putting the roof, KES.1000. The remainder of the money which is KES.500 was also used to buy materials for roofing. I decided to finish my home first before anything else because we needed our own home which brings a sense of security for the family. This was not possible without Give directly and I am grateful.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the message around nine o'clock in the morning as I was fetching water in the nearest borehole. I was so overjoyed I had to take a moment to take it in. I quickly finished my errand and then went to withdraw the money at the nearest M-pesa.
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 can now be able to finish building my home which I had stopped due to lack of funds. I can't wait till the day that the construction will be done and I can do all live a comfortable life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I did after withdrawing the money was to go and buy some galvanized iron sheets which coated me KES.1000. Having a roof over my head has always been my dream which I had to stop when things got hard and there was no income to support the construction. The other KES.200 was spent on food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Sheltering in other people's houses was the last thing that I ever wished for. Life took a different turn after the house that I inherited from my father fell. This rendered me homeless and for the past two years, my aunty's sitting room has become my sleeping area. I recently tried to build a new house but my low financial status stalled the project. It's been for months now and all my hope is gone. As a beneficiary of this program, these transfers will come in handy to complete my house. This will bring a sense of belonging as well as restore my dignity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My eldest son tagged along with his fiance when he visited. Being my first time meeting her I was overjoyed to learn that my son has finally found a wife. I can still remember the delicious duck meat that we shared.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My vegetable business was greatly affected by the current drought. Earning 300 KES from it every day, was enough to atleast sustain the basic needs. Life is now tough as I have to rely on my sons for food. Being casual laborers, their support is very limited.
