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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
" I come from Kabarak at a remote place in Bomet. When I first received this money,I was shocked, I stopped to confirm if indeed the message was true, which was!! When I reached home I broke the news to my wife, she was excited and that evening she prepared a delicious meal for the family. Before going to bed my wife and I sat down and decided to open a grocery shop which we will sell onions and tomatoes. The following day I went to the market and bought iron sheets that I used for the construction. The shop is complete and with the $100 I saved I will officially opening a shop."
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
" Givedirectly has transform the lives of people in my neighborhood, most of the neighbors used the money to build houses for their family. Getting field visits from the Givedirectly staff and some even speak my native language is a blessings."
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
" I used $60 to buy iron sheet for building the grocery shop, My compound has trees that I cut down to get timber and together with the iron sheet I was able to build the shop with help from a friend. I also used $300 to pay a debt I had from a land purchase. I now own the land I stay in, then rest of the money I used to buy food for my two children and wife ."
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfers was very early that beautiful morning. I had left my cellphone for the shamba only to come back and find an Mpesa notification on my phone. I was very excited and felt a sense of relief knowing that my dreams of dowry payment had come true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness, peace and relief from casual labor. This is because, I now have adequate food, clothing and l am assured of paying my wife's dowry because my parent's in law have been on my neck.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on a heifer and a young bull as an investment in preparation for dowry payment. Initially, I didn't own a dairy cow hence dependent on my brothers for milk.I also spent some on a sack of maize and Christmas clothes and others on settlement of a hospital bill.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Subsistence farming is my livelihood since a tender age. I enjoyed farming after I dropped out of school in class five thus could not have a formal job to earn a better income. Due to the fluctuating market price, competition, and adverse weather conditions, my reliance on farm produce dropped to household use only. When I receive my cash transfer, I am planning to spend KES 60000 to buy a dairy cow and a heifer. I prefer these to boost my farm produce and to increase our family assets. I am certain once they calve down, my farm will be producing milk for both household use and sales. This will change my life in that my family will enjoy a better diet and earn an income through milk sales unlike my current state of daily expenditure on milk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It is any household head desires to have and happy healthy family. I always go out to fend for my family, a job I whole-heartily do to see my family enjoy their basic needs. In the last six months, I thank God we as a family has had good health all through. This has given me peace of mind to provide for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to limited resources, I have not been able to fully cultivate my small pieces of land. I prefer to hire it out to have liquid cash to meet my daily household needs. As a result, I have not had a good harvest for quite long. Food shortage is the current biggest challenge we are facing. Buying food every day is expensive thus most of the days we do not eat enough.
