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 ($533 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before I received my transfers from GiveDirectly, I was living in a small leaky grass-thatched house in my father's compound. However, with the support I received, I have established my home and built a spacious iron-roofed house where we currently live in peacefully. In addition, I have an adequate space within my home where I have begun to keep some livestock. From the motorbike, I have been able to make some extra income thus I am always able to support my family better than I could do before. I thank GiveDirectly for the support it accorded us.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in supporting the neediest in society financially. It has positively changed people's lives since all who received financial aid have managed to undertake and accomplish some of their goals. Personally, I have never seen what GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfers to buy building materials such as iron sheets and nails which I used to build my house. Previously, I was living in a grass-thatched house which was very old and leaky. Currently, I am living in a spacious and decent iron roofed house thus I am no longer worried about rain. In the past, my family and I could be rained on at night since we did not have any alternative but to bear with our situation in the leaky house. I also spent the rest of my transfers to purchase a new motorbike on hire purchase. I have, therefore, been able to do business with my motorbike and my daily income has greatly increased.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I can attest that my life has transitioned in a big way. Firstly, I no longer get worried when it rains thanks to the new roof. My seats are now safe from the rains unlike before it could rain on the seats and at times even my mattress making my night long, cold and very boring. This gives me peace of mind and can go on my daily business with no worries.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very happy when I saw the Mpesa message indicating receipt of money from GD. I was eagerly waiting for the money to commence construction of the new house to curb the issue of the leaking roof.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received the first transfer, I purchased iron sheets and poles to aid in the construction of a new house. The house I was previously living in was grass thatched and leaked whenever it rained. The water kept dripping on my sofa's and eventually the sofa's got spoilt. After construction of the house, I bought new sofa seats to replace the ones that were worn out. Now my house is more habitable than before.
Enrolled
access_time 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money means I will be able to build a new house. Our current house is grass thatched and we risk fire tragedy because we are surrounded with sugarcane farms that upon maturity will be set on fire before they are cut, like the last season our house was burnt accidentally when the set fire on the sugarcane. The new house will also make my children improve in class because the current house is small and do not have enough room for them to study and most of the time after meals they retire to bed, with sufficient room in the new house they shall have the freedom to stay late and study.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening while my fish customers come to buy fish for their supper. It is from the sales of the fish that I am able to meet other family needs like buying food and paying fees to my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I faced was losing my house to fire tragedy. I had to use all my savings to build the current house. This led to great decline in my business. I believe I shall revive the business again.
