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
55000 KES ($458 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a new goal which I never thought of before receiving the cash transfers. I have an idea of owning dairy cows which I believe will be of great support especially when they start to produce milk, I will start a business selling the milk and generating an income. I believe the money that I will be earning will be enough to pay fees for my children without struggling like before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a splendid job, especially on the plan of offering us unconditional cash transfers. It has honestly empowered most of us to achieve our goals which include, constructing better houses, and buying pieces of land among others. Therefore, I have not seen or heard of any negative action they have done to us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying wooden doors, nails, and the labour changes at a total of KES 26000. This was for the completion of my house which was under construction but stuck at some point because of insufficient funds. The condition of the previous house was not good at all and it would collapse anytime. I felt I was not safe at all, also chances are I would be homeless together with my seven children. It is now a relief to us because we no longer have to worry about the harsh weather. Additionally, I expanded my business by purchasing more stock. This has resulted in good profits. Nowadays I no longer strain in meeting my famines needs like before especially paying fees for my children. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food since we have been experiencing consistent drought for the three consecutive planting seasons.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7am while I was at my biological parents residence grieving my young sister who had passed on when i received a message in my phone. Since I do not know how to read, I kept the message till evening when I returned home. I contacted my helper who confirmed that it was a message from GiveDirectly stating that I had received the first transfer. I was filled with joy and appreciation knowing that I would be able to do the things I have been desiring for a while but poverty bared me from achieving them.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Being a widow has been the biggest challenge in moving my life well. Since I do not have any source of income, my life was not moving well but from the time I received the transfer from GiveDirectly, things have changed for better. Sincerely speaking GiveDirectly is a life-uplifting organization that empowers people to do things that they were initially unable to do due to lack of money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the money, I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for KES 18000.00, poles and rafters for KES 18000.00. I bought these items because I wanted to build a new iron sheet roofed house since the one I had was a grass-thatched one. I also bought a mattress for KES 3000.00 since I did not have one. Thereafter, I paid some debts of KES 5000.00 and used the remaining amount in buying some food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband died 20 years ago and left me with one child. Due to lack of money, I was not able to educate her and this made her get married at an early age. She later came back from her matrimonial home because of the family challenges she was facing. I did not have a house at my husband's place to accommodate her and her 6 children which made me buy a house at the marketplace. The structure is one-roomed that cannot accommodate all of us. This left me with no choice but to ask my neighbor for a space for my grandchildren to sleep on. I am worried about their moral behaviors because we live in a market center where a lot of immoral things take place. My priority is to first build a bigger house for all of us and then buy livestock that I can sell in future when they multiply in case I need money. Building a good structure will cost 50,000 KES, then I will set aside 30,000 KES for buying 15 goats @ 2000 which has also been my dream then save the rest of the money in case of emergencies in the family. Receiving these transfers means good living conditions for my family as well a great start for a brighter future for my grandchildren.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was very happy on Christmas eve when I had many customers who came to enjoy themselves. On that day I made close to 3000 KES in one night, money that I have not handled in a while. This brought joy and happiness in my life because we were able to spend Christmas as other capable families in the community.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a single mother of one and 6 grandchildren that I also take care of, life has been very challenging due to insufficient funds. I sell local brew and make around 200 KES on a good day. This however is not a guarantee which makes it hard to just depend on it as the only source of income. Finding other sources is also another challenging task because of the poor economic situation in our community. It is very stressful and depressing knowing that there is little that I can do to change my situation. My current challenge is therefore lack of money to take good care of my child and grandchildren.
