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 ($510 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 from how it would have been because I managed to purchase a good number of goats. Through them, I am optimistic that I will achieve most of my long time goals. Currently a few have started reproducing and this gives me hopes that very soon I will have many of them. My ain is when they increase in number, I will sell some and start a different project ie a hotel or a kiosk. I feel it's going to happen soon becasue goats are in high demand and I will not have to strain when selling them. Also, the fact that I cleared the school fees balances for my children brings a big relief into my life. It was so stressful especially when they are being sent home but I am happy that no longer happens.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirecty does well in my whole village and no one could complain about their serves. One during the enrollment they promised to help us and the aid will be in form of money. So everyone was curious, wanted to know if the money was refundable. They responded that the money us on refundable and its majorly to uplift our living standard and transform the poverty life. Up to date I am still happy and feeling blessing for receiving such a huge amount of money which is nonrefundable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer rin clearing school fees for my son who is in form three. I later bought some building materials such as iron sheets, nails, timber and building materials. This was purposely for the construction of a new house for my children since they have been sheltering at their grandmother's house because mine was not spacious. With the remaining amount I bought foodstuffs and decent school uniforms for my children
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard my phone ringing notifying me of an incoming message. When I checked its contents, It was an Mpesa message. I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and thanked them for fulfilling their promise to us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my children are currently comfortably in school having paid for their fees on time. They have not been in school due to the corona virus outbreak. I had not saved even a single cent for them because getting a job was difficult due to the pandemic.I was worried they would be sent home immediately after reopening. I am happy that through the transfer, I was able to pay for them to continue with their studies.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 16000 of the transfer on buying goats which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I am planning to exchange them for cows as they reproduce and increase in number. In addition, I can readily rely on them in case of a dire financial need. My children were also resuming their learning thus I spent KES 15000 to pay for their school fees. I also did some shopping for them on school uniforms and stationeries. I spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and other household items.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire had been to own dairy cows that can help me to get income from the sale of milk once they breed. This has been my wish because at the moment, my husband was forced to get some cows from my neighbour to rear them, and in return, we get our daily food through the selling of the milk. My plan once I receive my transfers are to buy 4 indigenous dairy cows at $600 and the remaining amount will help me acquire 7 goats at $30 each. This will act as the long-term investment project that will help me sort out any future emergency and hence, a better living.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The evening is the happiest part of the day because I usually find myself so relaxed and I can share a meal with my children. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours where I am so stressed and tied up with my strenuous activity of charcoal burning that drains much of my energy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Charcoal burning and aloe vera extraction are the sources of income that I have known in my life. Despite these jobs being health hazardous, I am forced to doing them to get an extra income that will supplement the little earning from the sale of milk. Therefore, I consider the lack of a stable source of income as the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
