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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 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 it would have been had I not received the transfer. This is because I have been able to build a more spacious house for my family. In addition, I was able to clear school fees for my children on time. Because of this, they have been able to concentrate on their studies and I believe that their results will in turn improve. All this was possible because of the transfers and I thank GiveDirectly for coming to my rescue at a time of need.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 50,000 to build a house for my family. I used to live in a single room that served us as a kitchen, bedroom and living room. I am now glad that as my children grow, they will have a place to sleep in comfortably. I bought some food to last us for some days using the remaining amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($503 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home relaxing and nursing a foot injury when my son came in and informed me that he had heard that people had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I looked for my phone and to my surprise, there was the SMS saying that we had received the first transfer of 55000/= from GiveDirectly. I was so happy to see this and I could not believe it because I had never received such a huge sum of money before. I also called my husband who is at work in Nairobi and informed him about it. He was so happy to hear this and we planned together how we were going to spend it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer from GiveDirectly has brought a big difference in my life and that of my family. I was able to complete paying for my son’s school fees and hence he is back at school. I therefore no longer have any stress about where I am going to get the money to pay his fees. We are currently constructing the house that we have always dreamed of. We have been living in a small and old grass-thatched house for a long time. When this house gets completed, we will be able to live well just like the rest of our neighbors. We will be able to have enough rooms that can accommodate guests visiting our household and another that my children can study in it. Thank you GiveDirectly because our dreams have been fulfilled.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The lump-sum amount from GiveDirectly has helped us in a very big way. We have never received such a huge amount in our lives and it has therefore helped us a lot. I was able to complete paying for my child’s’ school fees who is in secondary school. He had lacked school fees and he had therefore been forced to stay at home. The transfer has also enabled me to build a bigger house that is roofed with iron sheets. My family and I have been living in two small and old grass-thatched houses for quite a long time. I, therefore, wanted a proper house that was going to be enough to accommodate guests visiting and also for there to be enough room for my children to study. Achieving the above has not been easy due to a lack of money. I usually do a casual job at a local hotel where I am paid 100/= per day. This amount is only enough to buy food for my family and other small household needs. I thank GiveDirectly for coming to my rescue, may God bless you.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better shelter for my family. The motive behind this desire is the fact that I live in a single-roomed that is also leaking. It is this very small structure that serves as a bedroom and kitchen. Due to its size, it is very uncomfortable to live in since, it gets extremely hot and smokey especially after cooking. I tried to build a better one last year but I stopped halfway due to lack of money. I am planning to buy 20 pieces of iron sheets at the cost of 600 shillings each and 15 pieces of roofing frames at the cost of 400 shillings each, the remaining amount will cater for labour and food stuffs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because I usually find myself having more time to relax from my day's chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My current work that I can consider as a source of income is working on my neighbor's farm to get pay, usually 200 shillings per day when luck is on my side. This situation has rendered me inactive on my farm and consequently low harvest. Therefore, the amount I get on each day only provides hardly enough to my family. Hence the biggest hardships I have faced in my life is insufficient funds.
