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 ($485 USD)
access_time 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 currently different from the way it would have been had I not received the money because of the great step I have made. I now have an ox which will not only earn me income from ploughing people's farms but I will not also spend on ploughing labour.
I have so saved enough money for starting up a business which I would not have saved if I did not receive the transfer. I currently do not have any source of income and raising the money would have been a great challenge.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving cash. This has empowered many peole and helped so many to improve their lives. On the other hand I have not seen any area where it does not do well.
I have so saved enough money for starting up a business which I would not have saved if I did not receive the transfer. I currently do not have any source of income and raising the money would have been a great challenge.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am planning to start up a grocery business so I have saved the recent transfers as I look for a proper location for the business. Currently I do not have any source of income and I rely on spouse who does not earn much.
Once I start up the business our household income will increase and we shall be able to share the household expenses. I will also be independent and won't rely on spouse for everything.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 AM when I was heading to the saloon then I heard my phone ringing. Without wasting time, I decided to check what it could be. On checking, I realized that it was an Mpesa from GiveDirectly. I had finally received my first transfer as promised. I was overwhelmed with joy and I even decided to call my spouse and shared the good news.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having the pair of oxen in my homestead has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. I believe and hope they will be of great help in my agricultural activities since I am a farmer. I can now take fewer days to plug an acre compared to tilling myself. I am being optimistic that the harvesting products shall increase greatly compared to the previous when I used to do it myself. Apart from that, I will also hire them to my neighbors at a fee and get an income to help me sustain my family needs with ease. I will also be harvesting some manure which I will be applying to the farms so that it can be more productive compared to before whereby I used to purchase the artificial ones which were so expensive.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some livestock such as a pair of oxen at KES 30000. I have been yearning to own them for years but I could not afford them because they were too expensive and I had some other household needs to cater to for. I later paid school fees for my children and bought new uniforms and stationery. I also paid bought some foodstuffs for my family that would at least take us to the next harvesting season.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will help me add 10 goats to my herd. Goat farming has helped me get income in the recent past. Getting money to expand will be a big boost for me. My plan is adding 10 more goats at a cost of 300 USD. I also plan on using 100 USD to start a small business of selling groceries. My target is market days in locations within my area of residence.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a farmer,I spend most of the time in my farm especially during the rainy season. Evening for me comes with a lot of fatigue. After taking a shower, I relax with my children after a busy day. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising up my 4 children has not been easy. I always want the best for my children but with the little income I get,it has been a struggle. This has made it hard to fully satisfy their needs such as food,clothing and school fees. I am a farmer and with the unpredictable weather pattern, I am never assured of getting good harvest . The little I get from my farm is only enough to feed us for a few months with no surplus left for sale.
