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?
I used kes1000 to buy food and bought 2 chicken at the price of Kes 250 each and I bought a goat for Kes 1500.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
There is nothing to change as from what I can see. I have loved the experience so far. This is because the program is running smoothly with no one asking for bribes or even try g to take advantage of us. The organization is very polite from speaking to us in the village meeting to enrolling us at home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This transfer was used to buy a couple of things that I am proud of. I thought about having a passive income which whenever I need quick money I can get. I bought my first goat at KES.1000 and I also was able to buy the two chickens costing KES.500. The next thing I did was to buy clothes worth KES.500 The remainder was used to buy food and water which was KES. 500 leaving KES.500 which would help caution us when we have a crisis.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On that day I was with my sister just relaxing and catching up. I heard my phone ping with a new message. I saw the message from M-Pesa but it had not yet sunk in. My father then called me and confirmed that it was indeed the money from Give directly. I was so happy and felt blessed.
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 afford to buy food, especially during this drought. It has been difficult to provide three healthy meals a day as we have been living from hand to mouth. With this money coming in every month I know can plan to buy livestock and even start a business selling chicken.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was able to buy three chickens with KES.800. I thought about starting a business selling chicken which would also bring in some income for my family. This will be the start of my financial independence. The rest of the money is KES.400 I was able to buy some food for the family. This would help my husband who is the sole provider of our family as I did not have a job.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My village is facing a scarcity of groceries. Most of the locals have to send motorcyclists to a far end town to purchase vegetables. I plan to close the gap. I am looking forward to making a three-month saving, to start up a grocery. I desire to shorten the distance our locals have to move to purchase vegetables, and as well grow our local town.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I struggle the whole year to take care of my ailing mother and my son. My cancerous mother suffers a lot to the extent that you cannot tell what happens the next second. Seeing her sail through up-to the December 31st is what makes me happy. It assures me that the God I serve is the protector of all.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was married to a man who molested and times he sexually abused me. With the support of his parents, they threw me out of the house, with my bags of clothes. I desperately moved out and decided to go back home. I was 2 months pregnant. Two months later, I was woken up to the news that my husband married a new wife. This killed my spirit, led to self-denial. My hope of reuniting with him died. Since then, he never calls me, he has never remitted anything towards child support. My survival has been a burden to my jobless father and my cancerous mother. I feel so much pain seeing I cannot offer the best life to my son.
