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 ($464 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal right now is to bring my newly built house to completion and to improve the dairy breed of cattle that I keep. I was able to use the first and the second transfer to continue with the construction of a new house and I am now left with the finishing and painting of the same house. Once this is complete then I will be able to buy an improved breed of dairy cattle and make more income from sale of milk that will in turn change the living standards of my family. I plan to do this through the merry go round contributions that I take part in within the village. I am a trained teacher but I am not yet employed by the government to be able to raise enough money to actualize all these sooner.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opininion GiveDirectly did very well in giving us basic education and sensitization before we could receive money from them, This gave us an opportunity to make informed decisions on how best we could spend the money to reap maximumly from it. The fact that everyone of us was given an opportunity to freely choose how to spend the money is something to appreciate them for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 37000 of my second transfer to buy tiles and cement for improvement of my newly built house. The remaining amount gathered for labour and other costs in the same house that we are building. I am happy that we have made tremendous progress and only remaining with the finishing and lastly painting of the house before we can finally move in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt so happy. I remember it was around 9am. When I heard a message tone from my phone. Since I was busy at school I didn't check it immediately. During the break time I decided to check out for message, I didn't belived my eyes, it was a message confirming that I have received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and went go witdrew the money immediately. I called my spouse and informed him of the money. He was so happy too. My children also felt so happy. We knew we would be able to buy a water tank.
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 have purchased a water tank. I used to walk for a long distance to collect clean water for domestic uses. This was so tiresome and time-consuming. We were also being exposed to water related diseases, Since we were drinking dirty water. I had always wished to purchase a water tank but I didn't had the money. The small amount of money that I used to get from my casual jobs was only for household basic needs. When I received the transfer I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to buy a water tank. currently I no longer walk for a long distance to collect clean water. I have saved enough time to do other things at home. My children are no longer exposed to water related diseases because the drink clean water. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly to purchase a water tank. We used to walk for a long distance to collect clean water for domestic uses. This was so tiresome and time-consuming. We were also being exposed to water related diseases. We decided with my family to purchase the water tank. I spent the remaining money to buy cement and sand. I used it to build a stand for my tank. I bought ridges to collect the rain water. Whenever there is rain I am able to harvest clean water since I have put ridges on my house. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money would mean a relief from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our family has been affected to a great extent since March 2020 when schools were closed because I am a teacher then working in the private sector so our employer stopped paying us immediately schools were closed. I had a bank loan by then which I had taken to build this house for my family so I had to no option but to repay despite having no income. I sold all the livestock I had to cater for the same. With Givedirectly transfers then I would like to pay KES. 40,000 as school fees for my two children, since having no job I have accumulated that amount in arrears since schools resumed in January 2021. I would also like to use KES. 50,000 to buy a dairy cow, this will support me earn a little income from milk sale as well as providing food for my children. The remaining KES.18,000 I would like to save so that it can help sustain our daily needs as a family before I get a job.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is usually in the evening when my children have returned from school. This is because am now just a stay home parent and it gives me happiness to see them come back home after a successful day in school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life has been this time that I have had to live without a job. My husband also suffered a massive paycut due to the pandemic. The effects of the pandemic have been profound on me and combined with climate change in our area opportunities to earn a living and put food on the table have been diminishing.
