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 ($469 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes I had new goal! The new goal is to become a great farmer. The thing that barred me from investing the second transfer in farming is that I had to pay some debts that were a must pay for me to have peace of mind. But if a chance comes around I will fulfill this goal of becoming a greater farmer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Since the first time I knew of GiveDirectly I haven’t seen any fault. It is a clear and transparent organization which handles its operations in a straight forward manner. The thing I can recommend is that it will be more valuable and better to us is we are added some more amount so that we complete the projects that we under estimated when we started them and they are now on halt.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, the priority was to finalize some payments for a plot which I had bought but there was a balance of KES 30000.00. Thereafter, I paid school fees for my children so that they could settle in school without being disturbed for school fees as well as buying some food for the family. Since it was a dry season, food and water were essentials in a household.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 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 8 AM when I was at my daily hustle in the nearby school when a message notification popped in. I was so busy and I didn't bother to check who it could be, I even thought it was the Safaricom messages that I normally receive every morning. I, therefore, proceeded with the task I was handling. Thirty minutes later, I received a call from one of my relatives informing me that he had received his first transfer. I was also curious and decided to check the message notifications, only to realize I had also recived the money. I was so happy and I remember having to return home to share the news with my children.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have peace of mind and am happier. This is becase the cash transfers empowered me to settle the huge debts from my friends and neighbors. A few months ago, my spouse went to be with the Lord and I was left behind with four children. Since I depend on casual jobs with a low income of KES 100 a day it wasn't easy for me to settle the debts on time. I borrowed the money during the time my spouse was unwell, the money catered for her hospital bills though she didn't make it, also for the burial arrangements and we managed to give her a decent sendoff. However, life has been full of sorrows on my end because I have been unable to pay back the money to the intended people because of my financial status. This frustrated me and I felt I had lost my dignity in society. The coming of GiveDirecty into my life has restored my hope to live and I will forever be grateful for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on settling a debt of KES 35000 from my friends and neighbours. I am now at peace because I honestly had no idea where I would get the money to refind them. I have had sleepless nights and been depressed ever since. In addition to that, I cleared school fees of KES 6700 for my four children who were about to sit for their exams and I was worried they would again miss the tests. I am so glad the money came in good time because they are no longer being sent home regularly like before and they will be able to sit for the exams with the rest. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it to buy foodstuffs for my family and cater for some other household expenses
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I will buy one acre of land costing 30,000 and then I will build my house on that piece of land which will cost me 40,000.I am living on a community land which I cannot own it myself and I am seeing the importance of having my own house on my own land . The remaining amount of money I will buy two oxen and a plough to start farming on that piece of land.two young oxen will cost me 30,000 shillings and a plough will cost me 9,000 shillings .I would like t establish good security for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is during the lunch hours after my children have enjoyed their lunch and are going back to school ! This is the happiest part of my day since my children are comfortable going back to school and have taken their lunch.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest hardship I have faced in life is the death of my wife and the situation of raising my 4 children without the care of their mother. This is the hardest part of my life I have never faced.
