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 ($492 USD)
access_time almost 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 it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I was able to boost the livelihood of my husband by investing 400 dollars into the business. At the moment our daily income has improved by 3 percent. In addition, I was able to seek medical assistance for myself since I was pregnant and I had some stomach complications.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in helping poor households through the unconditional cash program. Through this aid, I was able to fulfill our heart's desire of improving my economic activity. In my opinion, I don't see anything that the organization did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $400 of my second transfer to boost my husband's small business of buying and selling livestock. We are now able to meet our family's needs without struggling much. In addition, I was able to improve my goats rearing job by purchasing 3 more goats. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the process of preparing myself to go to my farm when I heard my phone beeping. I reached for it to confirm who could have sent a message early that morning. I saw the one message I have been waiting for. I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I have never received such an amount in my life. I felt happy and celebrated with my family that morning for the fortune.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has enabled me to acquire goats to keep in my homestead. In our area where we are living in abject poverty with no employment, livestock are valuable assets that one can have. My expectation is that these goats will multiply soon and have many of them. I can readily depend on them in case of a financial need like raising fees for my children. To me, owning these goats is the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40000 of my first transfer on buying goats. Its been my desire to own them because they are assets I can readily rely on them in case of a financial need. Furthermore, these goats are a security for the future of my children's education. I will sell the offspring to raise fees for my children. I spent the remaining amount to do some shopping on new clothes for my children and also bought enough foodstuffs for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"My desire has been to practice livestock keeping but due to financial Challenges, this dream has never appeared. Attaining this money means fulfilling it. I am planning to spend 90,000 shillings to purchase a pair of oxen at shillings 45,000 each. I will purchase an oxen plow at 8500 shillings.This will enable me to cultivate large space of land and I will be harvesting a lot of crops for my family. I will also hire the oxen to cultivate people lands and earn me 2500 shillings per 1 acre. It is going to be a source of income for my family."
What is the happiest part of your day?
"Morning becomes my happiest part of the day. This is because I enjoy preparing breakfast for my family before leaving for herding. Unlike in at night when I find my family members asleep because I always come late."
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
"My biggest hardship in life is lack of a good source of income. I am a shepherd who earns 3000 shillings per month. This amount is not enough to sustain my needs e.g food."
