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
55000 KES ($477 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 dream at the moment is for me to be able to start a Poultry project. With it, I am optimistic that my life would be transformed. I plan to execute this goal by selling the farm harvest. I am so grateful for the support that changed our lives positively.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We are grateful for the support that gave us an opportunity for us to uplift our lives regardless of social status. I was able to finish building my house in a short time. I have witnessed an amicable change in my village. My people have built houses, others bought cattle. I have not witnessed anything that was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer and blessed with four children. The little money I accumulate goes for school fees, thus the moment I received my transfer I used KES 10,000 on paying school fees for my children. I then used KES30,000 in completing my house which was left halfway due to financial constraints. I was unable to do the finishing due to school fees responsibilities. Finally, I used the remaining amount on foodstuffs and clothes. I am happy about the transfer that lifted my living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard a message alert on my phone at night while still sleeping and I decided to check and know who had sent me an SMS at that ungodly hour. When I saw that it was a Mpesa message, I sat upright and read it while keen to know who would have remembered me at such an hour of the night. My heart was filled with joy upon realizing that I was KES 55000 richer and yearned for daybreak so that I would share the good news with my family.
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 been able to build a more spacious semi-permanent house for my family. Before receiving the transfer, we were living in a two-room house whose walls were made of mud, and my children used to sleep in the kitchen. With the transfer, we were able to build a two-bedroom house whose walls are made of timber and I am glad that my children now have a separate bedroom in the main house. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling us to achieve this as it would have been impossible on our own.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Living in a semi-permanent house has been my dream but I had not been able to actualize this due to lack of funds. We had not been able to achieve this since paying school fees for our four children and sustaining the needs of a family of six members is not an easy task. I am happy that with the transfer, I was able to purchase some building materials and built a more spacious house than the one we had and whose walls are made of timber. I spent KES 40000 on the purchase of building materials and labor, KES 4000 on vegetable seeds that I am planning to plant and later sell at our nearest town. Also, I purchased some food and clothes for my family using the remaining KES 10000.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been a motorcycle rider for 5 months now. Out of this casual job I earn an average of KES.300 per day after the deduction from of the fuel and other cost. My family of 6 fully depend on me and have two children who are joining form 1 come next year. I have been planning to plant short seasonal crops like tomatoes.Givedirectly transfers is an answered prayer to me and I am full of excitement for such a boost. With my small farm, I plan to spend KES. 70,000 to build a greenhouse, use the remaining amount to buy seedlings and pesticides to control the diseases that may arise. With this project, I see myself earning an average of up to KES10,000 per month depending on the yields.This will ultimately enhance my income and be able to pay for school fees and buy food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It was after a long struggle of working in a nearby centre as a shop keeper. Five months ago my brother bought a motorbike and employed me to be rider. I used to get KES.50 per day from the shop, this could not meet my needs. I was super excited when my brother bought this motorcycle and gave me to ride. This increased my income to KES.300 which was an achievement to me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
One of the challenges I am currently facing is food insecurity. I have a family of six and out of an average earnings of KES.300 per day, I have not been able to buy enough food for them. We sometimes skip some meals with my children. This is a risk to them as it may lead to some health conditions like being malnourished. My fear is that their life will be ruined because of not having proper health care and good education.
