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 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 is different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because my family now has a more decent house. Due to this, I can now concentrate on other important issues like paying school fees for my children without worrying about our house that was almost collapsing. In addition, I was able to acquire a dairy cow and this is an asset to me that I can rely on in case of an emergency. Also, owning it will save me the money I would otherwise use in buying milk.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid to everyone and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfers, I spent KES 28,000 to purchase a dairy cow. I settled on this so that I can be having milk all year round. Also, I spent KES 7000 on farming by hiring a tractor for land preparation purposes and purchased some quality hybrid seeds. I spent the remaining amount to build a decent kitchen for my family. I settled on this since the one we had was old and had once caught fire that we were able to extinguish it though it left the roof weak.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 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 a few minutes to 12pm while on house rooftop roofing when I was informed that there was a message alert on my phone because I had left it charging.Upon checking it, I was overwhelmed with joy and relayed the good news to my wife who had also heard from my neighbors about the good news. I was motivated to work harder and I returned home happily that evening because I had never received such a lump sum in my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a motorcycle. This has helped me reduced my work load like taking kids to school early, fetching water and grass for my livestock.The motorcycle has also enabled to reach my work station early and reduced cost of transport. Nowadays, we sleep comfortably and peacefully because I bought new beds for my family and I am stress free. My kids no longer remember the loss we experienced during the fire incident because some of the things burnt have been replaced by the GiveDirectly transfers. The transfers also enabled me buy a sewing machine for wife and this has helped in household expenditure.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 on motorcycle in order to ease my masonry job which requires extensive travel and help transport my kids to school. This has reduced transport expenditure because I used to spent alot of money traveling to work. I also spent the rest on beds and furniture for my kids.This is because six months before GiveDirectly visited we encountered a fire accident that saw my house and everything in it burnt down due to a battery explosion after a phone overcharging. I also spent KES 6000 on a sewing machine for my wife to aid her tailoring job.The rest
I have saved the rest for buying a dairy cow.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Last year, my house was razed down and was reduced to ashes. Due to lack of finance, I was forced to reuse the burnt iron sheet which were leaking because I had no otherwise. During rainy seasons my family is forced to seek shelter at my neighbor's house. The situation is even worst now that we are experiencing rains in the middle of the night. Shifting my family at such times is cumbersome because it entails disturbing my little children who are asleep. This situation is really stressing me as a parent because I feel I should do more to restore the dignity of my family. Receiving this money will mean alot to me because it will enable me to build a better for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I always find happiness in the evening because this is the time I take a rest from the hard day's work. Mason work is tedious and energy draining. It is in the evening that I get to enjoy rest and this is the source of my happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of capital has been our challange. My wife has skills in tailoring and dress making and myself on the other hand has experience in masonry . I have not manage to save from my usually casual jobs because of high cost of living. Monthly, I can get around 18000 shillings. I have 3 kids in primary level and I am supposed to buy milk every day. I spend 3,000 shilling on milk, 10,000 shilling on school fees and 6,000 shillings for other basic needs. This leaves me empty-handed with no other to attend to other pressing needs.
