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 ($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 had never received my transfer in that I was able to start livestock rearing as income generating activity with my first transfer. Furthermore, I constructed a big house for my family. I also bought clothes and paid school fees for my children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Givedirectly did a great thing for supporting us with the transfer, everyone in the village is happy for receiving the unconditional and nonrefundable cash transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $350 of my transfer to build a spacious, modern iron roofed house for my family. I purchased 19 ironsheets, nails, building poles, timber and paid labour charges. This is because the house had before was very small to accommodate my family and our properties. The remaining amount assisted me to educate my 2 children who are still in primary school and purchase food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was not aware that I had received a transfer notification early that morning. I had gone to my farm and my helper had received his transfer and informed me to check my phone. I had KES 55000 in my mpesa account. I felt happy and celebrated with my family for this fortune.
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 am building a decent and iron roofed house to live with my family. The previous house was not spacious enough and it was also grass thatched. Through the transfer, I bought enough iron sheets and building poles to facilitate its construction. I am in the process of finishing the construction and very soon I will move into it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the transfer on buying a heifer and goats that I am currently keeping in my homestead. These are assets to me which I can readily depend on in case of any financial need. I am also in the process of building a new house since the old house is in a very bad state. I bought 19 pieces of iron sheets and poles for building a new house. I also paid for the labour involved in the construction I am happy because very soon I will be moving into my new house.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"I am a widow who comes from a polygamous family of 22 members. Receiving this money means building a house for my family members. After our husband died 10 years ago. The structure we were living in collapsed. Our elder son who was working by then, decided to construct a 2 rooms house for all of us. We have been sharing rooms with my 3 co-wives and children for 10 years now.I feel like this lowers our rigidity because according to our culture, when a child attain 18 years he is not supposed to stay under the same roof with mothers. I am planning to spend 100,000 shillings to construct a semi-permanent house for my family so that we can leave comfortable and a decent life. Similarly, I will purchase beddings because we have been using local ones made of threads."
What is the happiest part of your day?
"My happiest part of the day is at night. It is at this time when I have enough time to rest and think of how my tomorrow will look like."
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
"Unemployment becomes my biggest hardship in life. I am a jobless widow. I always depend on my step-son who does casual jobs at our nearby center for survival."
