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 ($480 USD)
access_time over 2 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 transfer in that I have build a storehouse for storing my farm produce and tools. I had no space to store my farm produce during the harvest time. I could store in my small house and this was creating my congestion. I had always wished to build the store but I didn't had the money. I depend on small-scale farming. I had no other source of income. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to build a store. I bought the iron sheets and timber. When I finished the construction I transfer all the farm tools and store them in the new house. This has given me hope to continue with my farming activity since I have a place for storing the produce. GiveDirectly has changed my living standard. I have enough space in my house since I transfer the tools to the store. Whenever I have visitors I no longer worried on where to host them since I have created space.
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 buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money I received from on building a store. The store is for storing my farm produce. I had always wished to build a store but I didn't had the money. I also used some amount to plough my farm ready for planting maize, paid hospital bills, and the rest of the money I bought food for the family. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our lives.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($508 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
With my helper, the excitement we had on receiving the transfer was so high. Since enrollment, we had been eagerly waiting for the day as we were given the range of dates within which the transfer could be landing in our accounts. We had plans already, and the expectations were to kick start working as soon as we received the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After spending a lot of money paying for the water delivery to my doorstep. I finally decided to ease the process by obtaining a plastic water tank. During rainy seasons, I had been able to collect enough water to keep me going for some months before planning on the next delivery. I had only been lucky whenever my children are around but currently I am a bit relieved as the tank has made the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the first transfer I received, I managed to spend most of it on household goods. I obtained a plastic water tank worth 2000KES that had been useful in collecting and holding rainwater, I also bought a new piece of furniture worth 3000KES, invested 10000KES in farming, bought enough foodstuff for the household that is still keeping us going, and also used part of the remaining on seeking medication. I had not been feeling well and this was an opportunity to access good medical attention and currently, I am glad that I had been doing quite well with the frequent visits to the hospital for the check-up facilitated by the small amount I was left with.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am 78 years old meaning my prime years are gone. My productiveness is generally going down each passing day to an extent that I am unable to fetch water for myself and my cattle. I depend on my grandchildren to come and aid me on this. As a result, receiving this money will mean that I will be able to purchase a 10,000 litre water storage tank at a cost of 70,000 shillings. Installing the water collection system will cost me an additional 10,000 shillings. This will in the long run provide water for my domestic usage even during dry periods.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being old and less productive, my usual day mostly entails carrying out less intensive household chores. My happiest part of the day is in the morning when I wake up feeling fine health-wise. This is so because at my age the body is weak and susceptible to diseases. Therefore I count it as a success when I wake up in the morning and feeling healthy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to my current age of 78 years, I am no longer that productive as I used to be during my prime years. I am unable to perform all the household chores and other income generating activities like farming. I am left only to do those kind of task that are less intensive. Over reliance on my grand children after they are back from school is something that I do not fancy. This is because there are some personal tasks that I would wish to be doing alone but I am unable to. This for me is the biggest hardship I have ever experienced.
