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 ($527 USD)
access_time 4 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 build a better and spacious house for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving out money to poor people so that they can fulfill their dreams, many people have invested in businesses other building houses and paying school. I do find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well since they have fulfilled all the promises.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spend part of my second transfer to buy two goats, two hens, timber to complete the construction that was ongoing, food for the family and the rest of the money I used it to buy clothes for my family members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fact that I have been able to provide the basic household needs for my family without having to struggle. Not only have I been able to provide for my family so easily but I have also put up or improved my building from mud walled to timber walled building. I feel so proud of these achievements that I have made within a short time and I cannot stop thanking GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I was well aware that I was finally going to improve my new house; a dream that I never thought was going to be actualized anytime soon. I quickly shared the information with my other family members and we were so happy together. Never before had I received such huge amounts of money from anyone in my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of my transfer to buy timber for improving my house which was mud walled to walls that are made of timber. The remaining amount was used to buy food,clothes and other basic household necessities for the family. I had been thinking about improving my house for easy maintenance by my wife and children but the little income that I got from my odd casual jobs was hardly enough to meet these expectations. I now feel so proud that I have been able to accomplish this with GiveDirectly transfers.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will see me improve my mud walled house into semi permanent plywood wall. This is going to cost approximately Kshs 20,000 (200usd) of my first transfer. I came to this resolve because maintaining a mud-walled house is a costly affair compared to wood because mud wears off every time it rains and would require replacement. I am going to spend another 20,000 KES (200 usd) to purchase 5 head of sheep at Kshs 4,000 each. When maize farming fails due to the harsh climate and children require fees, food and clothing, this investment is going to become a source of income that will keep my family above water. Sheep are a store of wealth that multiply in a short time. This my contingency plan for the rainy days.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Raphael is my best friend. He is also a hard working carpenter who loves his job. Many a times he calls me to aid him in his construction work around the village, usually about 3 times a week. At the end of the day he shares with me a portion of his dues, usually about Kshs 300 (3 usd) for lending him a hand. We usually call it a day at 5:00 pm in the evening, where I pass by a nearby shopping centre to buy merchandise like sugar, soap and cooking oil for my family. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
For the last 10 years maize farming has been marred with a host of shortcomings which include pests like fall army warm and soil borne diseases. Life has been hard all this long, provided it is the only cash crop most relied upon by farmers in my community. This has resulted in over dependence on livestock milk production as source of food and income. It is our only lifeline but still cannot sustain my family of 6. My big worry is that my four children may soon drop out of school due to unlimited needs that I cannot meet.
