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 ($444 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly has been of a significant impact on my life. This is because I was able to accomplish a lot in a short period. My main goal is for me to be able to grow and expand my business to attract more profit, thus I plan on saving the little profit that I make from my business daily.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly gave out the unconditional transfer to everyone without any form of discrimination. The less fortunate in society were the great beneficiaries. We are forever grateful for the support that uplifted our living standards. so far throughout my interaction with the GiveDirectly staff, I did not witness any irregularities.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had started constructing a decent house with my initial transfer though I ran out of funds before I could complete it. Upon receiving my second transfer, I thought of completing the house where I used KES 40,000. I am a hairdresser and a mother of one. Secondly, I used the remaining amount in boosting my business. I was unable to achieve all these due to financial constraints thus I am so happy and grateful for the great milestone.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 am. I was checking my phone as usual. This was when I was done doing my daily morning chores. I got a message from my phone confirming that I have received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I have never received such an amount of money before. I could not believe my eyes. I felt so happy and we celebrated with my family members. It was one of the happiest mornings we have ever had. I knew I would be able to purchase building materials and completed the construction of the house that had stopped due to lack of money. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is completing the construction of the house that I had started before but was stopped due to a lack of money to purchase the materials. I spent have of the money to settle the debt down the debts from the stores where I had been given some materials on credit. I was able to purchase other building materials and completed the construction of the new house. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt it worth investing o this housing project. I depend on small-scale farming and my saloon business to earn an income. The money that I Would get from this was so small. it was only for the basic needs of the family. I am so grateful because I was able to complete construction and currently we live in a better house with my family. GiveDirectly has improved our living standards and made us fulfilled our dreams.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25,000 to pay the debt for the building materials that I was given from the hardware stores in town. This was giving me restless nights since I didn't have any money to pay. Currently, I felt good since I have sorted out this. I spent KES 27,000 to purchase sand, cement and other materials needed to complete the construction of the house that I had started using my saving. Currently, I live in a decent house with my family. The rest of the money I spent on household items and food for the family. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has improved our living standards.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Am a single mother of 1 working as a hair braider in the neighboring town. I dropped out of school in class 7 and became a victim of early marriage.This happened after the death of both my parents. After a long period of gender based violence from my then husband ,I decided to run away with my four year old child in 2012 and landed in this sub-county . This was a new chapter in my life because I fell into the hands of an hairdresser and learnt the hair dressing and beauty skills too.Currently , I do hair braiding in my small rented shop in Chebunyo but because of lack of money I have been unable to have many customers and much incomess.This amount will enable me move into a bigger room and also facilitate the stocking of beauty and cosmetic items.This will attract several customers for instance from the newly opened polytechnic and fhs community at large .I will be able to do this with KES 60000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For 8 years now I have been struggling to completely pay for the piece of land I currently live in . I moved into this incompletely constructed house last year because of financial constraints .Moving into my own house has brought joy into my life because I have evaded the troubles with landlords in my life.For the past 10 years we have brushed shoulders with several landlords within town due to delays in payment of rent.I am now very happy because this has stopped in the past months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint has been the major challenge am facing.Being a single mother of 1 and having 3 siblings to take care of is a challenge.From my hairdressing business I get KES 2000 on average in a week.This amount is inadequate to buy food, clothes and as well as pay school fees for these children.Because of financial constraints we have had to live in an incompletely built nor furnished house. The house is a bit cold at night but we have to endure it.
