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 ($466 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I studied a tailoring course after my secondary school education and I have never put the skills that I learned into practice. I recently borrowed the sewing machine from one of my friends since she was no longer using it. I am planning to rent a room at our nearest trading center so that I can start the tailoring work. I will be saving the money that I will be getting from this business so that I can later use it to expand by buying some materials that I can use in making dresses that I will be selling to people.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well in all aspects of their operations. First, their officers were friendly and they did a splendid job during the baraza. The fact that they gave us money made it more interesting. With my transfer, I was able to build a house for my son and because of this, he is no longer being sent away by his friends whenever they disagree before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 35000 from my transfer to renovate our main house by making the walls semi-permanent. I settled on this since getting clay soil nowadays is very hard and one has to buy which is costly. Because of this, I changed the mud walls into timber and I am happy that it is only the floor and the kitchen that I will be renovating. Also, I spent KES 15000 to buy a heifer and used the remaining amount to purchase a bed since we had been sleeping on the floor. This heifer is an investment that will enable me to save the money that I would otherwise use in buying milk. I work as a casual laborer where I earn KES 200 a day and this is not even enough for food let alone paying school fees for my four children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 9am while in my garden harvesting sweet potatoes for lunch that day when I received an sms notification on my phone. Upon checking it, it was the eagerly awaited GiveDirectly transfers and I was very excited and immediately left the garden. That day my lunch diet changed from sweet potatoes to a special diet of rice and beef and couldn't be happier than that.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness and relief from casual labor. This is because with GiveDirectly transfers I have adequate food for my family which can sustain my family for a longer period. I have also bought building materials for building my son his own house because he normally rely on friends for a place to sleep.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on purchase of building materials for my son's house because he's grown up, some on bed and beddings because we didn't have a bed and clothing for my family because we didn't have occasion clothes because initially we relied on quarry work for food
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means financial independence .I have always had the desire to start a second hand clothes business but lack of capital has been a challenge. I do casual jobs to earn a living and mostly depending on my husband to provide for most of the family basic needs such as food, clothing and educating our four children. I will use KES 40,000 of the transfer to buy 3 bales of children's clothes and from that I can earn a profit of KES 6000 per week when business is good. This will be a very reliable source of income and I will relieve the burden from my husband by contributing to the household income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In January this year, I joined a women savings group that is made up of 12 members. Each member is visited once a year where we all contribute KES 1000 and foodstuff worth KES 200 each to the host. I was lucky to be the host in September and that is what brought me joy because I used the KES 10,000 I got to buy a pair of three-sitter sofa set. I can now comfortably host visitors in my house without any shame.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is a challenge to me .For two years now I am employed casually to make gravel used for building houses, being a woman it is hard labor. I strain a lot and it is difficult for me. I usually get exhausted and it has majorly affected my back and arms. I earn KES 40 for a full wheelbarrow of gravel and per day I can do a maximum of two wheelbarrows. This amount is very little and it hardly sustains to feed and clothe my four children. I wish to find something better to do which will not affect my health in future.
