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 ($490 USD)
access_time over 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 has really improved compared to how it would have been had I not received the transfer. If it was not for the money my living standards would still be down because I did not have a reliable source of income. I am grateful to Give Directly because through the transfers I managed to achieve much.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, it was a good idea for Give Directly to give cash to individuals. Through the cash people have improved their living standards. On the other hand, there is no area they are not doing good at.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had started constructing a house with the first transfer but I ran out of cash before constructing the roof so when I received the second transfer I spent it on roofing the house. The previous house was made of reeds and it was leaking all over. I am glad I currently have a decent house.
Part of the money I spent on four goats for rearing and already two of them have given birth. I am hopeful that in the future after they have multiplied I will sell part of them to raise money incase of emergency .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 Am when I received a message notification on my mobile phone. On checking, I got excited when I realized that the cash transfers that I was promised by GiveDirectly had hit my Mpesa account. I knew I would achieve all the dreams that I had.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am living in a permanent house. Previously my house was in a poor state and I did not have any hopes of sleeping under a permanent house anytime soon. This is because of the poverty life that had stricken my household. The money that I was I was earning from the casual jibs was barely enough for the basic necessities, leave alone saving up to build a permanent house. The house has a leaky roof and holes were all over the walls and it was really tough especially during the winter seasons. I am now happy together with my family since we are currently sleeping under a spacious permanent house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as iron sheets, timber, cement, and nails. This was for the renovation of my house which was temporary. I also bought a few goats as my assets that I will live to depend on in case of any financial difficulties. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and decent clothes for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition has been to start livestock keeping in order to have a project that I can depend on for any emergency in the future but this has been difficult due to financial challenges. I was so happy after learning that GiveDirectly has reached our village and this awakened my hopes of realizing my dreams. My plan once I get my funds is to buy 4 cows (2 for dairy and the other 2 as oxen) which will cost me utmost 60000 shillings. I also intend to spend 15000 shillings to buy a bed plus a mattress because the one I currently use does not give me nice sleep since it's small and lacks beddings. This will change my livelihood, a transformation that I have long wished and it is basically what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend the better part of my morning and afternoon hours away from home, mostly at my working site. This means my day hours are so tiresome to me and I only come home in the evening when I am fully exhausted. Despite being tired in the evening, I find myself so happy because, at this time, I meet my family and share food together. Therefore, the evening becomes the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a casual worker in the construction sites which pay me only 500 shillings per day if luck is on my side. Since my income is not consistent, I hardly save for future use and this means my work is a hand to mouth one. My worry has been to fail in caring for the family since I do not save anything, something that has knocked off my happiness. Therefore, the lack of a reliable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced.
