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 ($431 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?
I intend to start poultry keeping ; about 20 layers for a start. It is something I love and aspire to do . You realise that poultry is easy and quick to sell . This can be useful in times of emergencies . I can also sell them to buy basic needs and pay school fees . I need approximately $500 capital to start . I can't give myself a specific deadline because as at now , all the money I make goes to school fees , but I'm sure that one day , I'll do it .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly has really helped our village . We have built new houses and our village is shining . Please go and do this to others too . Most of us didn't have money to pay school fees for our children but you came in and made it possible , we really appreciate . You have helped us to pay debts and we are now free. Personally I don't see any area of improvement, you are already giving people the best . May God bless you .
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I'm a casual labourer on a private owned farm whereas my wife is jobless . So I'm the family's bread winner and we also depend on subsistence farming for food . I received this second transfer just on time to complete the construction of my new house . I spent $180 on 20 iron sheets and $80 on labour for roofing . I just wish you could come and see my new house . The new iron sheets makes my whole compound to look beautiful . I spent $100 on secondary school fees for my son and $70 on 2 goats for rearing . I believe the goats will reproduce and be able to he me cater for most basic needs and school fees when I sell them . I was left with approximately $100 which I spent on maize flour .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 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 just a normal day conducting my normal chores of watering some vegetables in my compound when I received a message notification from my phone. It was a mobile money message confirming that I had received the agreed amount I was promised during registration. I was happy and stopped what I was doing to inform my wife and four children of the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in our daily life is having a decent house for my family. We used to sleep in a house with no iron sheets. I had gone through so much trouble with no success in getting them a better house. My children have decent uniforms, and school fees paid had made me the happiest man. I am not struggling like before and I want to thank GiveDirectly for uplifting my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the money I received from Givedirectly to build up a house for my family as we did not have a decent house to sleep in. I used Kes 30,000 to buy building materials that have helped me build a ironsheets house for my family. With the rest of the money, I have managed to buy two goats, buy food for the family, and uniforms for my children. Three children are in the lower primary while one is in secondary school. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has helped me improve our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a passion for poultry farming and my main focus has always been on the layers other than broilers since they are more profitable in our community. However, this is not something that I would wish to start doing when I get these transfers. My house is on the verge of collapsing because of the ants that have been eating the poles and this has made it unstable. My children also need to be fed and money for their school fees, this is something that I am also putting into consideration when I receive this money. Building a new house is not that cheap and with the rising increment in commodities, I believe that building materials are also among the things that prices have increased with time. Considering all these, putting up a good structure will therefore cost me around 40,000 KES, fees for my children will be 60,000 KES, and use the remaining amount to start the poultry farming project.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have very happy when I finally managed to take one of my children to secondary school. This brought joy in my life because she is the first child in my family to step on the door of a secondary school.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My current challenge is lack of money. I have a lot to do and all these things require sufficient money. One major concern I have been having is the nature of my house, it is almost collapsing but lack of capital has stopped me from doing something about it. This situation is frustrating and stressful for my family.
