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 ($492 USD)
access_time 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 currently different and it has really improved as compared to how it would have been had I not received the transfer. The much I achieved like constructing a bigger house I could not have done without the transfers. In addition, I was also able to pay for my wife's dowry and now I'm confident that I have a wife. She had been taken back by her parents because I had not paid for her dowry but after paying the dowry she was released. I feel proud as a man for having made the step.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , Give Directly does well by giving people cash and let them decide on how to spend it. Through the programme most of the people who were financially unstable have achieved much in life. On the other hand, they do not have any area that they need to improve on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had a smaller house that could barely fit my large family. So when I received the second transfer I spent part of it on the building materials that I used to extend my house. I now have a bigger house that can fit my family.
Part of the money I spent on my medical bill since I was unwell at the time when I received the money .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 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 around seven in the morning when I was having breakfast with my family when I heard my phone vibrating. On checking, I found that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I felt happy and I remember leaving the tea and dancing while screaming with joy together with my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the cash transfers empowered me to renovate and add some two-rooms to my previous house. The fact that we now live in a decent, spacious, and comfortable house makes me worry less about my family in terms of their security and well being. Previously some of my family members used to seek shelter from friends which were hectic. I am now a happy soul since my children can now study well because they even have a room where they can study without any disturbances like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some bricks, cement, sand, and some building poles. I bought all this with the intention of adding two rooms to my previous house since it was temporary and small. With the remaining amount, I bought enough foodstuffs for my children and some decent clothes for Xmas celebrations.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will able to fulfil the desires of my heart. My wish has own a good house and livestock, I intend to use 45,000 shillings to build a 3 roomed house and 50,000 to buy 3 cows and 10 goats. This will be my future investment as that I will sell when I have any financial emergency.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a security guard I always spend my day moving around and making sure everything is safe at my work station this job is tiresome to me. However, evening is my happiest part of the day because I feel relaxed and get time to meet my family , seeing them healthy and happy gives me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When my father died our life condition became difficult.Being the first born,I was forced to drop out from school in class 3 and do some casual job at young age to get food for my family. This happened because our father left us with nothing to depend on. Being unskilled, I am unable to secure a good job that could earn me enough income to support my family. Therefore, I consider lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest hardship I faced in life.
