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 ($521 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I would not have been able to build a spacious house for my family were it not for GiveDirectly. Before, we were living in a one room house that was serving us as a kitchen, bedroom and living room because the income of our household which came from manual jobs was minimal hence saving it to do bigger project couldn't be possible. Today, my children enjoy doing their assignments and study in the evening since the distractions is minimal due to the spacious area. On the other hand, I no longer shy away to invite friends and relative in my house. Thanks to GiveDirectly for everything.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by offering donation in form of money directly into our accounts. I do not see anything that it did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to purchase nine chicken and three goats. They will be helpful in catering for any emergencies when they shall have reproduced and increased in numbers in future. I paid school fees for my three children who are in primary school and I am glad that I have settled all the arrears. I bought their school supplies and books . I haven't used the remaining amount yet.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Building a new spacious and decent house is the biggest difference in my daily life because I was previously living in a small house that was not spacious enough to accommodate my children. Because of this, they had to seek shelter elsewhere at night. I am glad that through the financial support from GiveDirectly, I am now in the process of constructing the new spacious house to live in. The old house can comfortably accommodate my children, thus they will no longer be troubled on where to shelter.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification early in the morning. Upon checking its content, my heart was filled with happiness when I realized that GiveDirectly had sent me the promised money. I knew that the transfer would totally change my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I was living in a small house which could not accommodate the whole of my family. My children had to seek shelter elsewhere at night, and this was troubling me a lot. I could not upgrade to a decent and spacious house due to limited resources. When I received this transfer, I purchased enough building materials which include 24 pieces of iron sheets, building poles and paid a mason for his job. I spent a portion of the remaining amount to pay school fees for my children and also bought for them school uniforms and stationery. I spent the remaining amount to buy some foodstuffs and paid for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means I can finally construct a bigger house that can accommodate my whole family. Our current house is tiny and some of my children have to sleep at neighbors' houses. The roof is also old and rusty thus leaks a lot during rainy seasons. Secondly, I will be able to revive my grocery shop that went bankrupt because I had to clear a hospital bill. Lastly, I will buy a bed and mattress for my children who currently sleep on the floor yet the weather is very cold at the moment.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Mornings and afternoons are quite hard for us because we don't eat very well and mostly just have porridge without any sugar. However, in the evening things are different because we eat a full meal mostly 'ugali' and greens or beans making it the happiest part of our day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
A year ago, I used to own a grocery shop. The earnings from it coupled with my husband's income from his casual job of transporting goods at Mombasa enabled us to meet some of our needs such as food with much ease. However, I had to sell everything and clear a hospital bill we incurred after delivery of my last born who had some complications at birth. This crippled our finances making life harder than it was.
