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 ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Had I not received the money I would most likely be homeless. My house was at the verge of falling down and I am afraid had I not received the money it would have most likely fallen down. I am grateful I now have a secure decent house .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion it is a good idea to give people cash and let them decide on how to spend it. This has enabled people to improve their lives. I would urge Give Directly to continue doing the good work and I don't feel there is any area to improve on .
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My previous house was in a bad condition, the better part of it had fallen off and whenever it rained I would be rained on. I, therefore, bought building materials with the recent transfer which I have already used to construct a better house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($499 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home at around 1200Hrs when I heard a message come into my phone. I checked my phone and it was the Mpesa message for the transfers. I was very very happy and excited to see the money in my phone.
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 buy a piece of land where I can build a home and settle with my children. I can now have my own home with my children, as it would not be appropriate to settle with my children at my parent's home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfers to buy a piece of land where I would build house and settle with my children. I have six children and I am currently separated from my house. I came back to my parent's home with my children, after my marriage failed to work. My former husband remarried and I cannot settle back in that home with our six children. I will therefore spend the transfers to buy my own piece of land where I will settle with my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a single mother of six struggle to bring up a happy and healthy family. I am lucky that I have young children that I can still share a room with. Since I came back home I haven't had a decent house, recently one I had broke down due to heavy downfall in our area forcing me to build a small structure to accommodate us. To me receiving this money means an improved living standards since first I will build a bigger, decent and more durable house. This will end our current uncomfort of staying in an incomplete house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a single mother without a formal source of income, each day is a new opportunity to explore my sources ranging from farming to casual jobs. I feel great each morning I see my family having woken up in good health as a new day gives me another chance to go search for our daily bread that is why the happiest part of my day is in the morning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been unlucky not have seen the doors of a classroom due to our family humble background. I got married at a tender age with hopes of bringing up my own family together with my husband. My life went on well inside my marriage untill I lost my child when unthinkable came into my life. Soon after I laid my children to rest, my family broke after I was forced out of my marital home of unclear family issues. I left my husband to my parents home with my young five children and this is the time I started being a father and a mother. Since then my life hasn't been good at all, meeting my family needs is a big challenge for me. My family break up at my most sorrowful moment to being a single parent is the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life.
