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 ($528 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?
My life is different than it would have been if I never received these transfer in that I have a gotten a new house that I always desired. My husband was has been our breadwinner for the last one year after getting a leg injury he couldn't go back to work and that met a hold on our developmental project. Personally , I feel honored that I now have a decent house that can host my family members comfortably. With the two acre of land that we had cultivated maize and other food crop with the money, its also an assurance of food security in my household.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion Give directly does not involve intermediaries in their program, they deal with people directly. I also feel it was a very good thing to use M-pesa as away of sending money to us because its safer.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer to buy building materials that facilitated the construction of my new house . I paid school fees for my three children who are in primary school and bought food for my family. I have saved 10,000 KES of the remaining amount .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning the heifer to me is the biggest difference in my daily life because if I was to buy it at my own cost, then I would have not acquired any. I am expecting it mature and reproduce so that I can have many of them. Through them, I will be saving for the future of my children's education. In addition, I am expecting to benefit from the milk that it will be producing which I can sell the surplus to earn an income.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the transfer notification early in the morning. On checking the contents, I realised it was a message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had finally received my first transfer. I was happy to get this money because my life would be changed thus uplifting my living standard.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the transfer to purchase a heifer at KES 16500, which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I am expecting it to reproduce and have many of them. I am hoping to sell the offspring to cater for my children's future education expenses since some are still young. I also paid for my children's school fees for them to continue with their studies without any interruptions. Apart from these, I also spent the transfer to purchase some building materials in order to construct a granary that will enable me to store my harvests when the time for harvesting comes, since my house is not enough for this purpose. I also bought an ox plough to use with my oxen to plough my farm. I spent the remaining amount to buy enough foodstuffs for my family, and also in paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
"Water shortage is a big problem here, and every day, we walk over 20 kilometers away to get this precious commodity. And since we depend on water pans, it is difficult to get fresh water now that dry season has prolonged - most have dried up with the remaining ones containing a lot of dirt and these serve livestock alone. For freshwater, we are forced to purchase from water vendors - a 20litre jerrican goes for ksh 50 inclusive of transport. This is very costly and as a result, it has eaten deep into our already empty pockets. Therefore, once I receive the transfers, I intend to connect my own water line that serves clean water. This will save us a lot of time and money. Again I will be selling to local and that means an income to the family. And that is what receiving this money means to me."
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. I always look forward to this part of the day because it is here where I accomplish most of my day's tasks. When I wake up, first task is to prepare breakfast for the family and thereafter ensure that kids leave for school in good time. After that, I engage in household chores and seek daily wage. This goes on up until evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
"My husband used to be a long-distance truck driver, and back then everything was perfectly well - he could provide for the family comfortably until December last year when the tragedy hit us so hard. He was involved in a crispy road accident, that saw him injure his left leg so badly. Ever since he has been trap in crutches and has a lot of difficulties in moving around. The world stopped for a moment when it dawned on me that he will no longer be in a position to provide. We spent a lot of resources in medication leaving us with almost nothing under our name. This resulted in a financial crisis and I had to step in as a breadwinner to sustain the family. At the moment I engage in odds jobs to at least keep the family going. Receiving this money will be a great relief as we were already hitting the rock bottom. I will no longer need to compromise on my family's education, food, clothing, as well as health care."
