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 ($494 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?
I am now have a reliable sources of income for my family through the motorbike taxi business my husband is running. At the moment, We are not struggling to meeting our daily basic needs. Previously, we would spent two weeks without earning any income.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done extremely well by sending me cash transfer and provided me with a mobile phone something that I have never imagine of owning very soon. This has improved our living standard. I do not seen anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $450 of my second transfer to purchase a second hand motorbike for my husband. He wanted to start taxi job as an alternative source of income. This is because his job of wine tapping was not earning him enough income to support our family basic needs. Currently, he is earning an income of $3 per day from the motorbike taxi. I bought clothes and enough food for my family with the remaining amount.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 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 early in the morning when I decided to check the messages on my phone. I came across the one message I have been waiting for, that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I rejoiced with my family for this fortune.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Through the transfer, I purchased new beddings for my children and I. I bought new mattresses and bed to replace the old worn out beddings that we have been using for years. I could not buy them at my own cost. Additionally, we have never lacked food in my household after receiving this money. Having a better place where I can sleep comfortably and enough food for my family makes the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the first transfer on buying mattresses and bed to replace the old ones we have been using. They were old and worn out. At least we now have good beddings to sleep on as a family. I am planning to spend the remaining amount to buy building materials to construct a house for my children. They are sheltering in the neighbourhood at night which is not good for them because they are still young. They will now have their own house. I am also spending the money on buying daily foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wished to start a small business but lack of capital has been letting me down. With this money I can now start a small retail shop beside the road. I live near a busy road and I see this as a good opportunity. I estimate my starting capital to be 100 USD. I will then use 200 USD to build another house with two rooms. My current one is too small and my children need another house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. I believe that how you start your day determines how the whole day will look like. I like starting mine with good moods so that it can be a success. It is through motivation that I get to work hard in my farm where I spend the better part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a farmer, I just live with hope that the rains will come and come at the right time. For many years we have been getting little or no harvest due to lack of rains. My spouse had to leave us to look for employment because he could no longer keep up with the lack of income in this area. He comes home once in three months. Having him away for that long leaves us lonely but we have no option since he has to look for money. He works as a casual in coconut farms in another region.
