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 ($478 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 that I didn't have is cementing the floor of my house. I had build the house and I didn't had the money for buying the sand, cement and the money to pay workers
When I received the money from GiveDirectly, the idea of making my floor dusty free came. Currency my house look decent and we are no longer exposed to dust particles like before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well buy giving money to the poor in the community to build better house and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly on buying materials and cemented the floor of my house. We used to live dusty floor house. We were being exposed to dusty particals. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($504 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer, I was at home tending to my cow, When I heard of a message tone ringing, I don't know how to read, therefore I called my daughter to read out the message, instead She shouted the word "confirmed" on asking what that was all about, that is when she broke the good news that I had received my transfer, we were all overwhelmed with happiness.
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 build a house which I had wished for in so many years, but my dream was never realised due to an unreliable source of income, I used to sell vegetables in the nearby shopping centre before but now old age has caught up with me, I no longer have the strength of running up and down. My old house had rusted but I had no money to repair it.GiveDirectly has changed my living standards and I am grateful for the support I got.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The house I was living in was not in a good shape, it was too old, I could not afford to build a new one because I didn't have money, I used to sell vegetables in the shopping centre before but I was forced to stop due to my old age, therefore, when I received my transfer I used 400 dollars in building a house which came as a very big relief, I used the remaining transfer in buying foodstuff.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am getting old and feeble to cater for myself. I don't have a stable source of income and having one has been my ambition. I at times depend on my children for upkeep and they have their family of their own to cater for. I feel I am becoming an impediment to them. My intention is to add one more dairy cow to the one I have. My plan is spend approximately Ksh 30,000 from the transfer to acquire one. I am projecting to milk at least 6 litres a day. This will enable me to sell at least 4 liters at Ksh 30 per liter. This will be a landmark in setting a stable source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Since I am only a housewife, I spend the entire day looking after my one dairy cow. I feel relaxed and happy in the evening after my grand children are back from school. They brighten my evening by giving me company while preparing dinner.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unfavourable weather condition has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life. I have 2 acres of land under cultivation in which I have grown maize for domestic use and it is almost 10 years since we last had a sufficient harvest. The amount of maize we have been harvesting is barely one sack and thus no surplus for sale. This has become an uphill task to cater for my family.
