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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The money helped me in enrolling my son to college. Raising college fees was a difficult task for me as a parent since I do not have any source of income to depend on paying for him. I also managed to build a toilet that I am using with my family since we did not have one.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well in improving our lives. Some of us couldn't access to better shelter and also living in houses that were in a pathetic situation, and we did not own any livestock. We have now fulfilled all these which seemed difficult for us to achieve. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well in our region.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a portion of my second transfer on buying a new bed and a mattress. I replaced my old bedding with new ones since they were worn out. Apart from this, I also bought some building materials that consists of bags of cement, sand, timber and iron sheets in order to construct a toilet for my family since we did not have one. I also paid for my children's school fees for them to comfortably continue with their studies without being interrupted concerning school fees. I did some household shopping on buying foodstuffs and other basic needs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($543 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I had a big problem with how I would increase my acreage when it comes to early cultivation and utilise my land fully. Also, the cost of hiring was always cumbersome and costly to me personally and the need to have my own pair of oxen was always in my mind. GiveDirectly has fulfilled this through the transfer and now I have my own pair of oxen to help me in my farm and also I will be able to hire to others at a cost to earn an income.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification on my phone early in the morning. On checking the message, I realized that it was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first transfer. I was very happy and grateful for having received the transfer because I never expected that I would one day get that much in my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock which includes two bulls. I have desired for long to have a pair of oxen to aid me in my farming because, during the planting season, I had to hire the services of ploughing my farm from my neighbours which is costly with larger acreage. Through the transfer, I fulfiled this desire by acquiring the two bulls which I am now training them to plough. Once they are ready, I will no longer be hiring. This will also enable me to increase the acreage for better yields. In addition to this, I bought a sheep which I am expecting it to reproduce and in future, I can depend on in case of a financial crisis. I also spent a portion of the transfer to improve the beddings of my children. I bought a new mattress and a wooden bed to replace the old traditional bed they were using. They are now at peace for they are enjoying a comfortable sleep, which makes me happy as a parent. I spent the rest of the transfer on paying for school fees for my children and doing some shopping on foodstuffs and other basic necessities for the family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband died over twenty years ago and left me with three children. I was later inherited by his brother whom we sired another 3 children together, but the marriage did not work and I had to raise them singlehandedly. Being a widow who depends solely on subsistence farming and casual jobs, I could not meet their needs with ease. In fact none of the first five children managed to complete primary education due to lack of school fees. My desire is to educate my last born son who is currently in standard eight, up to college so that he can secure formal employment. This will enable him to fend for himself without much difficulty and also take care of me in my old age. Therefore, I will purchase livestock which I will use to finance his education in secondary and tertiary levels. I can say that receiving this transfer means that generational poverty will come to an end in this family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am mostly happy in the morning when I wake up healthy and full of energy. This really motivates me to work harder and provide for my family. The zeal behind this is to build a bright future for my son with the hope that I can change his life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is my biggest hardship. This is due to lack of a stable source of income that can cater for my family needs. Subsistence farming is not reliable enough and the casual jobs earn me around 500 shillings a month. This amount is not sufficient to provide food, medical and educational needs. Sometimes my son is sent back home because I cannot afford the 70 shillings required in school.
