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 ($528 USD)
access_time 4 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 it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I build a better house that was not possible before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirely does well by giving out unconditional cash to improve the standard of living for the poor people in the village. I do not find anything that was not well done.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend my second transfer to build a better and spacious house for my family, I also bought food for the family and the rest of the money I used it to pay school fees for my children in college.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have built a better and spacious house for my children. They used to sleep in small mud houses which could not host them comfortable. I do casual jobs in the village to earn an income. The small amount of money that I get is only enough for basic needs. I had some amount at some point but because of the recurrent needs of the family, I used all the money. My children were never comfortable because the house was so small. This was stressing me so much because I did not like the idea of them sleeping at the neighbor's house. It was so risky for them to walk during the night. Currently, I have built a better and spacious house for them. They live so comfortably without any disturbances and this has given me peace of mind. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has brought positive change to our home.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt so happy because I have never received such an amount of money before. I remember it was very early in the morning when I heard a message from my phone. When I checked it I could not believe my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received 55000KES from GiveDirectly. I immediately inform my family members who really celebrated. I knew I would be able to build a better and spacious house for my children.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to built a better and spacious house for my children, I also used some amount to buy food for the family ad the rest of the money I used it to buy clothes.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have four sons. Three of them have been spending their nights in their eldest brother's house. When he got married recently, his younger brothers had to go find a place to sleep from the neighborhood. Consequently, I want to spend Kshs 20,000 (200usd) to build them a house using my first transfer to avert shame and unnecessary inconveniences. This will go a long way in according them a life of dignity they deserve. Two of these boys, third and fourth born are set to undergo circumcision to manhood in the next 2 months. They are 14 and 12 years respectively. This is a cultural initiation ceremony that goes down in the community at the end of every year. It is going to cost me another Kshs 20,000 (200usd) of the cash transfer. I cannot begin to imagine where I'd get such a huge amount of money had it not been for GiveDirectly.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Happy is free. The happiest part of my day is in the evening when my children are home after school. After a tedious day of juggling between looking after livestock, tilling my beans farm to fetching water for household use, there's only a therapy from which the presence of my children accords.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is a casual labourer whose livelihood come from mixing concrete at construction sites, a job that may come only one week in a month. He usually gets paid about Kshs 300 (3usd) per day, money we would use all to buy food for our family of 10, leaving not a cent for savings, let alone eat a complete meal, clothe my children and accord them with quality education. It is not always that we can afford a decent and balanced diet. With so many mouths to feed we usually go for quantity over quality. Sometimes, we would skip meals during the day to save for the evening.
