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
55000 KES ($448 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?
My long-term goal is to open a retail shop so that I cannot fully depend on my children for money. My short-term goal is to ensure my grandson has finished his studies and become a doctor. I have been saving some part of the money I get from children's upkeep and paying for the tuition fee.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
People have homes that they previously did not have. Businesses are operating and the village is growing economically.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a widow with five children. I lost my son years ago and left a son behind who lives with the mother, my other children are married. My daughter-in-law takes care of the grandson and sometimes I chip in whenever she does not have money to pay for his tuition fee. I spent $250 from my second transfer to enroll my grandson in the university and $100 to install electricity in my home. I do not work due to my old age and most days my children send me money for my upkeep. I can now watch the latest news using the television that I bought with my first transfer and not get bored.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That morning, I was on my way to mourn with my friend who had lost her husband when I received a message. Upon checking it, I found out that I had received the transfers and I was so happy because I knew that was the end of sleeping under a leaking roof.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Nowadays, I can save the money that I used to spend on kerosene to pay other bills and now that I got electricity at home, I nolonger take phone for changing far way in the market and that has reduced the risk of losing it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been sleeping under a leaking roof which was caused by rusted iron sheets for quite a while and I used to hate rainy seasons because I usually had the longest nights. Previously, I would use grass to cover the roof but the prevailing drought has made it impossible for grass to grow and I couldn't afford to buy grass from far away. At my old age, I couldn't do much for myself and my sons whom I would have depended on don't have reliable jobs and got families to provide for. Being enrolled in the program was the only way I could have gotten out of this terrible situation and I was so honoured to be enrolled. I saved KES 40000 of my first transfer towards roofing my house and spend the balance to do wiring for electricity in my house. I'm happy that I nolonger use kerosene lamp which was dangerous and expensive and soon I will nolonger be sleeping in a leaking house.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The roof of my third born's house needs to be mended. He does not have a job that could help him repair it and receiving this money means I will repair the roof. I will use 20,000 KES to buy 2.5-metre iron sheets,10,000 KES on 2 by 2 timber and ordinary nails as well as roofing nails and 15,000 KES on labour.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Hypertension used to worse at the beginning of 2021, it made me have difficulties in seeing but I thank God towards the end of 2021 up to now I have not experienced any worse blood pressure and I can see clearly. This has brought joy and happiness to me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My health. I have hypertension and ulcers, I have been having these diseases since 2004 up to now. I have been having a desire of starting a kiosk but I lack the capital to kick start the business.
