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 ($425 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
When I gave birth to our first born, I was not able to return to work because I could not afford to hire a nanny. My goal this year was to open a local cosmetic shop and I have already started saving towards the same. Achieving this means that I will be able to support my house with the family responsibilities.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is having staff that are so kind us and dedicated to their work. They treated is with so much respect and kinda that made is feel valued. May you continue spreading the kindnesses to people like us who never feel valued in society most of the time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband is employed as a shopkeeper while I'm employed in a salon. With both of us earning an income of $60 per month, we were not able to do much such as building a bigger and permanent house. We had been living in a muddy two rooms house which served as the living room and bedroom. We had no extra room for our child and we had to share our bedroom with her. When we were enrolled in the program, our goal was to build a permanent two bedroom house which we managed to build the foundation and the structure with the first transfer. I spend my second transfer to do roofing and finishing. We have already moved in now and we feel so comfortable because the house has a living room and two bedroom. We are supper grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support and making us achieve our long desired dream.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($469 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 the week I came from the hospital, with my bundle of joy that I brought into this world through cesarean delivery. My situation didn’t allow me to do much apart from nursing the little one. As I was putting my son to sleep, the sound of my phone caught my attention and I saw the funds received. I was happy and quickly forgot I was strictly on bedrest and walked to share the news with my mother-in-law. She was shocked to see me walking toward her with a smile that turned my face pink. She was so happy for me and walked me back to the house because, after my excitement, I felt so much pain walking back to the house because of the incision.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is my dream house is almost complete and what is remaining is the floor, which will be complete with the next transfer, hopefully. I am so happy because my dream of moving in has changed to be a reality. I feel these funds came at a time I needed them because with my situation; I am not returning to work soon and the baby comes with a lot of expenses which would have made it impossible to complete the house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband has been building a three-roomed house for the last three years. I used to work as a hairdresser and my husband works as a casual laborer on construction sites. It has been difficult to complete our dream home. Our plan was to move into the house before starting a family, but with financial challenges, it was not possible to complete the house. When the funds came, we spent the entire amount on building materials and labor to complete our dream house.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I got married in March 2020, my husband constructed a 2 roomed iron-roofed house but did not complete it. I have since moved into this house but unfortunately, it is always cold and I am afraid that when I give birth my child might contract pneumonia due to the extremely cold weather. When I receive these transfers, I intend to use KES 45000 to cement the floor and put up a ceiling board on the roof. I will further use the rest of the transfers as an emergency toward the birth of my newborn therefore be glad that my family of 2 will have comfortable accommodation hence no fear of sickness.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When one gets into marriage, everyone hopes to see the fruits soonest. That was not the case for me since I waited for close to a 1 and half years to conceive. It was always my prayer to have an additional member of the family thence shun away from the village gossip of barrenness. Alas! This bore fruits. I was glad when I tested positive for pregnancy in October 2021.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Pregnancy is a delicate state that requires attention.
The availability of clean and safe water for household use is a challenge I am currently facing. I often use the water I fetch from the borehole in the neighbourhood to cook and clean. Sadly, this is not fit for drinking as I have either treat or boil hence prompting me to acquire some rainwater from immediate neighbours. It pains me that I have periodically fallen sick due to such hence using more finances for treatment.
