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 ($422 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?
My for this year and probably next year was to open a second hand clothes selling business. Although I don't have a reliable job to raise that money, I have already started looking for casual jobs in the neighborhood to raise the capital. Achieving this goal means some sort of financial independence and giving my children quality education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does does well is giving people unconditional cash transfers so that they can empower themselves. Personally, I didn't notice any improvement area because everything was smooth, fair and transparent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Living in poverty stricken area where prolonged droughts are normal has not been easy. Since farming is not an option for us and I don't have any livelihood skills, I am a housewife and my husband is the sole bread winner. I have always desired to bring something to the table and help my husband who is a charcoal burner with the family responsibilities but I have never had financial capability to raise enough capital to start a business. Our family desire to own domestic animals also seemed like a nightmare because we have never owned any domestic animal. When I received my second transfer, I spend $175 to buy five mature goats and $250 to buy a cow. I can not express the joy felt by my family especially my children seeing domestic animals around the compound for the first time! I spend the balance to buy food that lasted us for a while. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly for the financial support and making our long life dream come true.
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?
A quiet dark night it was. Was in the kitchen with my kids just by the fireplace getting some warmth and receiving the illuminated rays of light from the lit firewood. I got an Mpesa text and on reading it, was so excited as it brought a feeling of joy to my family and I.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The major difference and boost GiveDirectly transfer has played is that I have been able to provide for my family ensuring they never sleep hungry and to that, offer them a stable and more comfortable shelter with a better roof to sleep under.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having been living in a mud house, I was able to set aside some funds from the amount received which was KES 30000 that I used to purchase building materials. For a house to stand on its own, it needs some work done and with that, I was able to pay up KES 7000 for labour to aid in construction. More to that, I was in a position to get a bag of maize at KES 3500 to aid in flour production for our household. A further KES 5000 was used to purchase one goat boost the farming prospects around. Food supplements worth KES 2000 were also on the list and getting my kids new outfits at KES 2000 were quite on the card too. Savings play also a major role for future reference and was able to set aside KES 5000 for that course.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing for my family. I live in a small house that cannot accommodate my children and I had to send them to live with my mother in Molo and therefore I plan to build a two-roomed house to accommodate all of us. I plan to buy a cow with KES 30000 of the transfer that will enable me to get milk for sale and for consumption.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Life has been challenging to me this year because I do not have money and any job to feed my family but for the last six months, I have been able to put food on the table thanks to the good health and energy that I have had and this has brought me happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am facing currently is food security. I do not have land that I farm to provide food for my family and resort to doing casual jobs for my family to get food. I also had to send two of my children to stay with my mother because it was a challenge feeding three of them.
