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 ($427 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The house that I leave with my family is very small and not strong enough so it can be blown away by strong winds. My plan this year was to plant vegetables and maize, sell them so that I can get enough money to build my family a bigger and better comfortable house. Accomplishing this means that my family will have somewhere proud to call home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is offering excellent service to their recipients. All the way from enrollment to receiving the final transfer, the process was very smooth, transparent and their officers were very kind and patient with us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the longest time in my life, I have been buying milk for tea in the morning and the bills for the same went up when I had my three children. Right now, I have to purchase one and a half liters of milk everyday because of the kids and a liter goes for KES 75. With an average daily wage of KES 300 that I earn from being a motorbike taxi driver, I am not able to meet my family's needs. Since my plan was to buy livestock once I get the transfers, I spend KES 30000 to buy a dairy cow, KES 12000 to buy two goat, KES 5000 to pay school fees and the balance to buy food. From my observation, my dairy cow will have given birth next year and I will cut on spending for milk and also get some income from selling the milk.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. I was at home that early morning when I heard my phone ring and upon checking, I met a rather pleasant surprise from GiveDirectly. It was one of the happiest days of my life and I couldn't thank God enough.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I feel much more empowered than before I received money from GiveDirectly. I would not have been able to accomplish all these within a short time. I am paying debts for a motorcycle that I bought on credit. I plan to add more parcel of land once I get my second transfer
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We spent KES 40000 to buy a piece of land and used KES 7000 to buy goats for keeping and the remainder was used to buy food and clothes for my children. It happened that on of my neighbours was selling a piece of land and that land was adjacent to mine and I decided to buy it for my family. The two goats that I bought would too be a good source of livelihood and will make our living standards much more affordable.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
A year ago I purchased a piece of land worth KES 40,000 but I cannot do any farming activities because it is small. I do not save any money from KES 300 that I earn daily from motorcycle taxis. Receiving this money will actualize my desire of expanding my land. I am planning to use KES 80,000 to purchase 2 points of land and for the rest, I will buy a dairy cow since there will be enough grazing fields.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Two months ago, I finished repaying for a motorcycle that I had taken on credit. This has given me happiness because the income I receive enables me to meet my family's needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge we are facing is financial constraints.The only income I depend in order to raise my family of 4 is a motorcycle taxi that earns KES 300. This is not enough to cater to food and school levies for my school-going children. I mostly rely on loans and repaying is expensive due to high interest rates.
