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.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have build a better house. I used to live in a small house which could not host all the family comfortably. I do small scale farming and casual jobs in the village. The amount of money that I get through this jobs is so small and cannot meet all the basic needs of the family including saving to build a better house. Currently I have a decent house, we are no longer exposed to dust particles which might caused respiratory related deseses. I no longer shy to welcome visitors to my house because I have a spacious house. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly because it has changed our living standard.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses 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 spend the money I received from GiveDirectly to complete the construction of the house that I started using the previous transfer. I used to live in small mud house which could not host all the family comfortably. Currently we live in a decent and spacious house with my family. I am so happy because my dream of living in a good house and not being exposed dust had been achieved. I also bought a heifer. I will have milk in the next few months when it reproduce. It will cut the cost of buying milk daily which is so expensive. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 1.26pm when I heard a message beep. When I checked and it was GiveDirectly transfer, I could not hide my joy and I smiled everywhere I went.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have been able to complete my house which had stalled for over a year because I did not have the funds to complete it. Every coin I made was directed to school fees and I was not sure I was ever going to complete my house. I have been able to paint the house with the transfer and I will forever be grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used the transfer to complete a house that I had been building and pending completion and paid school fees for my chid who goes to a private school.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a desire to build a big spacious house that can accommodate my entire family plus visitors in case they visit. I feel like my current house is getting smaller by the day since my daughters are now at puberty stage. In our culture, it is wrong to sleep under the same roof with grown children and I feel they should have their own separate room away from us parents. I plan to put up a house made up of 40 pieces of iron sheets each costing 700 shillings. I also intend to purchase 120 pieces of roofing frames at a cost of 300 shillings each. Receiving this money will mean so much to me as it will enable me to achieve my desire.
What is the happiest part of your day?
There is just nothing more blissful than spending quality time with your loved ones. I am always happy in the evening because it is the time every member of my family is home. We get to crack jokes and laugh a lot. Helping my children with their home is also a responsibility I take with great pride.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
They say education is the key to success and I could not agree any better. Giving my children the best education has been the biggest source of stress to me lately. I have 3 children who are in their primary level of schooling and raising their school fees is not easy. I am required to pay 20000 shillings each year for each child. Many times they are sent home because of arrears of yesteryears. This is affecting their motivation and lowering their self-esteem. Other children have branded them names as a result of this and it is greatly affecting their performance. I feel like I should do something before the situation gets out of hand.
