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 ($492 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfer in that. Through the transfer, I was able to get proper beddings to replace the worn-out ones. In addition, I now live a happy life after paying part of the dowry to my parent something that has officiated our marriage after fulfilling our customary obligation. Furthermore, I was able to start livestock rearing after acquiring goats with my transfer. Lastly, my husband contributes $350 each with his friend to acquire a small grander machine with the first transfer something that has to boost his business of selling building stones.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for assisting the less privileged people in the society. I don't see any the it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $200 of the transfer to make a partial payment of the dowry that my husband owes my parent. This is a necessity with our tradition for any married man to fulfill. I also purchased enough clothes for I and my child and acquired a new mattress for $60, the one I had worn out and not comfortable to use. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing adequate food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 14Hrs and I was in the house. I heard a message come into my phone and when I checked the message, it was the Mpesa message. I was very very happy.
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 was able to enjoy Christmas and New year celebrations with my family. We had enough food and my children were also happy as they had new clothes. I will also use the remaining of my transfers to build a house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to buy food and nice clothes for my children for Christmas celebrations. I also bought three goats. My husband is a construction worker, while I am unemployed. We do not have any children at the moment. I have saved the remaining of my transfers which I intend to add to my second transfers, so I can build a house.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me expand my house by one extra room. This will ensure that I have more space which will be good when my kids grow up. This will cost me 200 USD. I will also buy 10 goats at a cost of 150 USD. I prefer goat farming because they multiply very fast. My plan is buying a cow from the goats after around 2 years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work in my farm for 4 hours in the morning. I spend the rest of the day around my compound doing house chores and later on fetching water. I enjoy the afternoon hours because I get to relax and interact with other family members. We relax under a shade chatting because the sun is usually very hot.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I grew up in a family of 11 children. My parents are just farmers and casual labourers. Life was very hard forcing me to stop my education after primary school. My parents could not afford my school fees. My education had to be sacrificed so that my two elder siblings who were in secondary school could continue. I felt so disappointed. I finished primary school last year(2019) and decided to get married this year. My dream of studying to college level came to an end.
