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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 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 would have been had I never received the transfer. This is because I would still be in the same level that I was before. The transfers enabled me to purchase a piece of land something I never knew that I would ever own in my entire life. I work as a domestic servant and it would have taken me ages to save the money to use in buying a land as I am a single mother and the little money I earn is usually not enough to cater for our daily needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by uplifting everyone's life through their cash program and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 from my transfer to pay for a piece of land that I had bought using my first transfer and the savings that I had but had not completed paying for it. Also, I spent around KES 11000 to purchase a heifer. This is an asset to me that will enable me earn some money on daily basis through the sale of surplus when it reproduces. Using the remaining amount, I bought some decent clothes for my family as we had none and also some school uniforms for my children to replace the old ones that were tattered.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 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 1.48pm on 17th December when I was going to the river to wash clothes with my mother. Our phones beeped almost at the same time and when we checked,it was the GiveDirectly transfers and we were so excited and we jumped up and down hugging each other.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am a single mother and I left my matrimonial home about 8 years ago when we split with my husband and my parents offered me a place to stay at home until I could afford a place of my own. With the transfer, I have been able to secure a piece of land and I will be building soon and my children and I can enjoy property of our own. Thank you GiveDirectly for fulfilling your promise.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the transfer to top up some money that I had been saving and bought a piece of land.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a single-roomed house that is leaking in almost every corner. I have to keep changing the bed position during rainy seasons to save the bedding from getting wet. The whole house becomes very cold because of the leakages and my children often fall sick because of this. I incur a lot of money to treat them from flu-related illnesses. I also feel ashamed when I usher in visitors because of the state of my house. If I get lucky to be successfully enrolled, my number one priority is to construct a better house. I plan to put up a two-roomed house of 24 pieces of iron sheets, each costing 500 shillings. I will also buy 30 pieces of roofing frames each costing 300 shillings. Receiving this money will mean a lot to me because it will enable me to have a better house that will change the face of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. Spending quality time with my family and also enjoying a meal together brings happiness to my heart.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Having to feed my family is the biggest challenge I face currently. I rely on working on peoples' farms as a casual laborer to earn a living. In a typical day, I earn at most 300 shillings. This is just a drop in the sea considering that I have a family of 4 children to cater for. Sometimes we have to skip meals and this is something that is stressing me as a parent.
