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 ($442 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, I do not have any new goals because I am planning on completing the construction of the house that I have started and paying school fees for my children in various. These are the two main activities that I am focusing on now.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the people in the community to build better houses and to start various businesses among other noble projects. Their living standard has improved compared to when they had not received the transfer. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all the second transfer on purchasing cement, sand, and other materials that were needed for the building. I paid the workers who were doing the construction as well. The construction of the new house is still ongoing. This is now my main focus since I wish to move in with my family once it's done. We live in a small house that cannot host all my family comfortably. I had always wished to build a better house but I did not have the money. This is because I do not have a continuous source of income. The money that we would get was only for food and the basic needs of the family. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has improved our living standard to be much better than before.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard a message notification on my phone a few minutes past 10 am but I did not bother checking it as I was busy collecting firewood. I decided to read it after I was done with this work and my heart was filled with joy on reading the message that indicated that GiveDirectly had sent the promised money. This message gave me hope that I would finally be able to build a house and fulfill my twelve years heart's desire.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had desired to build a more spacious house for the last twelve years but had not been able to achieve this due to a lack of finances. This is because whenever I got the money and decided that I would use it in buying building materials, my children would be sent back home the same day or the next day. This usually made me alter my plans so that they would resume their studies. With the transfer that I received, I was able to build a more spacious house and I am happy since we will be moving into it very soon.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has always been my prayer to build a house for my family but I had not been able to achieve this since I usually channel all my finances in paying school fees for my five children in different levels of education. Due to this, I had to continue living in a two-room house, and my children had to sleep in the kitchen whose roof was always leaking during the rainy season. On receiving my transfer, I spent all amount to build a more spacious house for my family. I bought all the necessary materials and paid for the workforce. I am glad that my children will have their separate bedrooms and my visitors will always sleep comfortably whenever they visit.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I love education since I have witnessed from my neighbors how it can transform lives to be better and this is why I have struggled to educate all my six children. It has been hard financially to pay their school fees since we majorly depend on casual jobs and subsistence farming. Since I prioritized my children's education, I was left living in a small house for quite along. When I received the cash transfer, I will spend KES100000 to build a more decent, semi-permanent house. This will assure me ample decent palace to enjoy my old age in. I want to spend KES10000 on my household's daily basic needs mainly food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am growing old and all I wish to have is a peaceful mind and small chores to run. The happiest part of my day is in the morning since this is the time I wake with a fresh mind after taking enough rest all night thus I am ready to receive the new day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I don't have a formal job to earn a stable income that can meet my family needs thus I am left with casual jobs and farming to depend on. The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is the frequent long droughts in our area since this affects our farming meaning I hardly earn enough to see my family through thought this is my main source of income.
