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 ($465 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?
I do not have a new goal that I did not have before receiving the transfer. This is because I had planned and budgeted all the transfers. I knew the main was to buy a dairy cow and a goat. This was my priority and focus at that time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving money to the poor in the community to build better house and to purchase dairy cows is what GiveDirectly does well. This is because Most of the people who received the money spent it well. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 on purchasing a heifer. I will get enough milk when it reproduces in the next few months. This will enable me to cut the daily cost of buying milk which is so costly. I bought a goat and two hens. This is an investment because goats reproduce faster and help during an emergency. Secondly, I will sell the eggs to meet some of the household basic needs. I spent part of the money to fix windows and doors for the new house that I constructed using the first transfer. My house now looks super decent. Part of the money I plow my farm and bought seeds and fertilizers and planted maize. Looking forward to a good harvest. For the rest of the money, I bought food and clothes for my family. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On receiving the message, I was glad to confirm that it was from GiveDirectly. At that moment I was on my farm weeding my vegetables and could not hold back the celebrations but had to rush home. I was much grateful and had to inform my family members immediately and since we had all plans in place, I had to withdraw all the amount the following day and make the purchases towards the construction of a new house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the complete construction of my new house. After a long trial to raise enough money that would have enabled me to construct a new house, I am glad that GiveDirectly came in to support my dream of using a modern kitchen that does not leak on the roof like the previous one I had been using. This will not only be useful as a kitchen but also create extra space for my growing family as it has an extra room that can provide bed space.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a widow, I have been contemplating the construction of a new house for such a long time but had never been possible since I had a lot of other financial obligations in the household. The transfer from GiveDirectly has been of great help to me in that I managed to purchase 21 iron sheets that facilitated the construction of a spacious at KES42000. The building is so strong and can last longer than the small hut I had been living in with my maid. I am glad that I am living comfortably at the moment inside a warm house with great space enouigh for two beds. I also obtained enough foodstuff for the two of us at KES 3500, clothes and a pair of shoes at KES 1450, utensils, paid the transport cost of KES4000, and other kitchenware at KES 2200.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing for me. Currently, I own a small grass-thatched house that acts as a bedroom, living room, and kitchen. It often gets smoky and it's very uncomfortable. It is also so small can not fit me and my grandchildren when they're around. I plan to construct a bigger three-roomed house which will cost me approximately KES 30,000. The rest of the amount I will invest in domestic cows as a way of investing so that I will serve my needs in future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. At this time my grandchildren are back from school. They come to my house to give me company. My day is usually spent herding my goats. I'm usually alone during the day until the evening when my grandchildren are back from school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my husband more than ten years ago when my children were still very young. I have struggled to bring up my children single-handedly. Being a dry area, nothing much comes forth from farming. Putting my children through school has seen me deplete the assets I had. I have been living hand to mouth hence I can not invest in any other family or personal development.
