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
55000 KES ($457 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Had I not received the transfer, I would still be living in the dilapidated house. There was already a need to build a house even before GiveDirectly visited us but I did not have the ability especially with my old age to do that. I am happy that I am now living in good houses and I have two goats to rear.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I love that everyone in the village received the aid from GiveDirectly, there was fairness in the process and as it is now there is alot of development ongoing here. we love that people were allowed to spent the transfers on their needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After building a house using the first transfer, I decided to renew my kitchen too using the second transfer. The kitchen was old and its roof broken and whenever it rained it would allow rain water in. I also bought two young goats for rearing using the rest of the transfer.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9 am while attending to visitors when I heard a message alert on my phone. And because of my illiteracy, I, later on, gave my phone to my helper who confirmed I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and grateful to GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is upgrading my house from a mud-walled to a cemented one. This has made my house cozier than before. However much I desired to upgrade, I could not afford it but GiveDirectly came right on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
About five years ago, I built a modern timber-framed walled and Iron roofed house but ran short of money to cement the floor and ceil it. So when I received my transfers, I used 80% of it on the purchase of construction materials like sand, gravel, cement, and ceiling boards. These have enabled me to upgrade the mud floor to a cemented one and cell it. As a result, the house is more comfortable than before and my grand kids love it.
Secondly, I spent KES 7,000 on two goats. This is because they reproduce twice a year and can be sold when in a financial crisis.
Thirdly, I bought a pair of rubber shoes at KES 300. Lastly, I spent KES 4,000 on a bag of maize of which the remaining will sustain me for the next week only. Earlier, to get food, I depend on small-scale farming of maize and vegetable farming and weaving baskets.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition has been to live in a good house .I am an elderly woman with 5 independent children.I stay with my grandchildren who help me in doing house chores.My house is too old and leaks during the rainny season .The condition of this house has led to me developing asthma in the past 2 years.Moreover my household items have been spoilt by bad weather .Receiving this amount means that I will be able to put up a new modern house at a strategic place and hence good health.I will be able to do this with KES 36000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The good health I have had in the past 6 months has brought me happiness in life. I spent the better part of my time and money last year in the hospital due to an asthma attack and this disappointed me much. I sold my assets to meet the hospital bills as well as the travel cost .This led to me struggling to meet my household necessities at the moment
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The old leaking house is the biggest challenge am currently facing.My house was built more than 30 years ago by my late husband . This house was not strategically placed because run offs water penetrates through the floor and walls during rainy periods.This forces me to seek refuge at my children's house during this time .
