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 ($457 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I recently graduated from the University with a bachelor of Education. Therefore, I am planning to keep myself busy by looking for employment before the government placement. With this, it would be easy for me to fend for myself.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has empowered tremendously. This is because it has transformed our lives and it has uplifted our living standards from grass-thatched houses to good-looking iron sheet roofed houses. On the hand, many people paid school fees easily and fend for their families. So far, throughout my interaction with the staff, I have witnessed things that were not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Building a decent house for myself has been an uphill task. This is because I am single and a graduate, but I don't have a reliable source of income. I depend on the wages that I get by teaching the student in a nearby school where I work temporarily. When the organization promised me an unconditional transfer, I saw it as a turning point because I knew that this would transform my living status. Therefore, upon receiving the money I used KES 30,000 on bulging an iron sheet house. The house that I was living in was old and grass-thatched. Finally, I used the other part of the money to purchase the needed household item to complement the new house. I am so happy that finally I accomplished my goal in a short time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($467 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home preparing dinner when I heard a peep on my phone an indication that I had just received a text message. Since I was not so busy, I decided to check and know its contents, and my heart was filled with joy upon reading as this money gave me hope that I would finally fulfill my desires in life. On that day, I slept peacefully knowing that GiveDirectly had helped me solve some of my problems.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now have assets that I can rely on in case of an emergency. With my transfer, I was able to buy two heifers and due to this, I will no longer be spending on milk when it reproduces rather, I will earn income through the sale of surplus. I believe that my life will continue changing as I am planning to spend my next transfer building a more spacious iron-roofed house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I recently graduated with a bachelor of science degree and I have not been able to secure a job. I have been teaching remedial classes at our neighboring school on weekends while I do any available casual work on weekdays. Doing an investment was the first idea that came to my mind when GiveDirectly came for enrollment and upon receiving my first transfer, I spent KES 51000 to purchase two heifers. I will be earning income through the sale of surplus when it reproduces. Using the remaining amount, I bought a new battery for my phone since the one that I had had malfunctioned and I also bought a trouser and a jacket.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I inherited a single grass-thatched house from my brother in 2018 after he relocated to another village. This house is however small and old now that I feel I have to improve it since it is not of my calibre at the moment. I have been yearning to construct a 2 roomed iron-roofed house that will serve as the living and bedroom but unfortunately, finances could not allow me. When I receive these transfers I intend to use KES 30000 to accomplish this task thus I will be happy that my dream of a comfortable house will come to pass. I will use the rest of the transfers towards purchasing a dairy cow and setting up a chicken business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Even after studying undergraduate for 4 years, it is not a guarantee that one will graduate finally. I was always hopeful that my name will appear on the graduation list after doing my last paper in October 2022. It was a great joy to me and my family at large, when I was finally granted the power to read and write on March 25th 2022.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is a challenge I am currently facing. After completing college in 2021, I started a casual teaching job at Kiproroget secondary. From this, I earn KES 3000 per week for the remedial classes. This caters for the household needs such as food and savings. Sadly, this work is not reliable at times since I only have to wait for only the weekend to work. Unfortunately, I do not work when schools are closed hence I have nothing to earn.
