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 ($465 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am planning to start a vegetable business this will help sustain my family in terms of household expenditures.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to give cash to recipients so that everyone can use it following their own needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before GiveDirectly came, we used to rely on casual labor where we used to get KES 100 a day for food. We also did small-scale farming of maize and beans for household consumption. Since hunger was our major issue when the second transfer arrived. I, therefore, spent KES 6,600 on two bags of maize. This sustained us till recently when I harvested my maize.
Secondly, I spent KES 15,000 on a heifer. This is specifically to act as a memorial gift from GiveDirectly. I also spent KES 7000 on two goats because they grow and multiply fast and can be later sold for school fees. When I look at the changes I have encountered through GiveDirectly I am at peace.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($487 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was very thankful when I first realized that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was alone in the house and had to call my child who came and confirmed what I had seen in the message. My children were also very excited when I informed them of the great news and had to let the money stay in my account till the next day when I withdrew since I had to align all the plans before emptying my account.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the complete fencing around the livestock grazing area that has safeguarded my crops. Previously, it was so hard looking after the cows since there were no barriers between their grazing ground and the farms that would make it so hard to restrain them from tampering with the farm produce.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving the first transfer, I spent the first KES 5500 on buying a barbed wire, KES1300 on fencing poles, and paid KES1000 on labor charges on the fencing I was doing around the grazing field. This has made livestock restraining easier than before. I also obtain foodstuff for my family worth KE3500, clothing for all my six children at KES 9000, and also settled school fees for four elder ones who are currently in secondary school that was worth KES20000. With the remaining amount, I obtained other household items that we were still lacking and now I feel so good to be having them within the household.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean that I will be able to clear school fees for my children. I have an arrear amounting to KSH 15000 from the previous term that I have not cleared. I want to clear the arrear when I get money from the transfer because I do not like seeing my children being sent home because of this. I will also use KES 10000 to clear fees for the next term.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being in good health for the last six months has brought me joy because I am able to do work ad feed my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our area is not arable and so the challenge that I am facing currently is providing food for my family. I have 6 children that I provide for with no source of income. Buying food daily is a challenge because I lack money to buy for them. Paying their fees is also another challenge that I am currently facing because I have no job.
