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 ($461 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?
After planning on how to utilize my cash transfer, another idea came in which was to start a Kiosk business. Currently, I do not have a permanent job and I trust this business will uplift my living standard. I will no longer have to strain in making the ends meet considering that I have been raising my kids single-handedly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
According to me, GiveDirectly is a unique organization this is because of the idea of giving out cash transfers to every household to improve our living standards. Our lives have now changed which is seen through the different assets we have purchased so far( livestock, houses, lands). I, therefore, have not heard or seen anything negative that they need to work on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 18000 of my second transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheets, building poles, ba the threads, a wooden door, and labor charges. This was for the construction of a new house for my sons who have been sleeping at their cousin's house which was small and he was not happy with the fact that he has been hosting them for a while. In addition to, that I cleared school fees (KES 2000) for my three children who are in primary school. Later on, I bought spare parts which cost KES 12000, these were for the maintenance of my motorbike because it had broken down and this was the only source of income that we had relied on as a family. With the remaining amount of money, I bought food and clothing for all my children. Before the coming of GiveDirectly, they could not attend any event in the community because of the status of their clothes. As a parent, this has been stressing me a lot and was always hopeful that this would come to an end.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in my kitchen busy preparing breakfast for my family of 6 members when I heard my phone bringing. I had to stop cooking to check the phone. I could not believe what I saw. After checking, I realized that I had received my transfer. I felt very happy for receiving my money like which will assist me in meeting my goals in life. I started the preparation to go to cash out my transfer since I had already planned.
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 am living a stress free life after purchasing a motorbike which helps me in getting income to meet my family's daily needs especially food and education for the kids. Currently, I am no longer going to be bed without food and I had some savings for my 4 kid's educational needs. I am very thankful to God for the opportunity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My long-term desire has been to have a reliable source of income for my family. After receiving my transfer, I spent KES 35,000 to purchase a second-hand motorbike. This was to help me in fetching water since we are experiencing drought in our area. Similarly, I am engaging in taxi driving where I earn an income of KES 500 per day. This income I use mostly to feed the family as well as save some for paying school fees for my children. Furthermore, I spend KES 2,000 to clear the school fees arrears for my kids. They were always sent how for fees something affected their performance. In addition, I invested KES 8000 in goats rearing an alternative source of income for myself.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means safety and privacy for me. This will be achieved through building a new strong house. I am a 48 years old widow with a family of 4 children. I currently live in a house that is so weak and in a very poor condition. The walls are full of holes. I also share the house with two of my children. Living together with them under the same roof denies me my needed privacy. I intend to build a new house at a total cost of 30,000 KES. A house strong enough to safely live in. I will then renovate the previous house for my children. Living in a separate structure from my children will guarantee the privacy that is required between a parent and a child.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Good health is my happiness. For the past 6 months, none of my children has ever fallen sick. In as much as challenges are there, their good health totally gives me peace.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a threat to me and my family of 4 children. I used to depend on farming to produce food for my household. Due to the prolonged drought that has lasted for more than 3 years as at now, farming is no longer dependable. I resorted to charcoal burning in order to provide my family with food. The income I get from this job ( 4,000 KES per month) is not sufficient to buy us food that can last for a month. This forces us to eat two meals a day for some few days in order for the food to last longer.
