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 usually sit down and figure out what to do once I get some money. As at now, I do not have any goal that I can say once I get money I will accomplish. I have trained myself to think on how to utilize whatever is in my reach. By doing so I am guarding myself from hallucinations and over thinking to things that are impossible for me to attain.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
On my side, the organization played a greater role in my life. Getting my children a house has been a big desire in my heart though I did not know how I was going to fulfill it. Thank you GiveDirectly for enabling me see my desire coming to pass. GiveDirectly has no problem at all in its general performance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After withdrawing the second transfer, I constructed a house for my children so that they could have a better place to sleep. Before this, they were just sleeping on the corridor or outside at the pavement of the house I was sleeping. I also paid school fees for my three children and bought a sewing machine for my girl who is in a tailoring college. The aim of the sewing machine is to make her to have good practical sessions and gain adequate experience for the field. I also bought a bed since I have been sleeping on the floor for a while but I am happy to have a bed.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
In a busy preparation of making charcoals with my young daughter in the forest, I received a message in my phone at a round 10am. My daughter took charge of reading the message since I am illiterate. On hearing the message was about the 1st transfer, I was overwhelmed and ululated in the forest since I couldn’t hide my happiness.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My children are now healthy. Initially they were malnourished due to lack of sufficient balanced diet but at now they are good to look at. On my side, I am now taking a good rest before resuming to the charcoal making business.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The first thing I thought of doing after receiving the money was buying a sewing machine for my daughter who is doing a tailoring course. The sewing machine cost KES 18,000.00, I also paid KES 15000.00 school fees for my secondary school son. Having been sleeping on a small bed with a torn mat, I opted to buy a bed for KES 6000.00 and a mattress for KES 4000.00. For the remaining amount, I took KES 5000.00 and paid a debt and used the rest for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this transfer means good shelter. This has been my longing but due to financial difficulties, this desire has never come true. I plan to spend 60,000 KES to construct a semi-permanent house for my 4 children who are currently seeking shelter from their eldest brother who is also married. This has stressed me for a long time because as a parent I feel like I am failing my responsibilities. I will invest the remaining percentage in practicing livestock keeping which will generate income for my family too.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of the day. Waking up seeing my whole family is fine inspires my day and gives me the energy to thank God and work extra hard to provide for them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a charcoal vendor in the village. This job drains a lot of energy and earns me 350 KES after a week. This amount is insufficient to sustain all our needs such as shelter. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship I have faced in my life.
