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 ($459 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?
To sharpen my skills which can help me get a job, I enrolled in a plumbing course barely three years ago. Unfortunately, I did not have any source of income. As a result, I could not complete my studies. After I received my transfer, I developed a new goal of advancing my plumbing course. I need that certificate because it will help me in my search for a job. Sadly, there are several opportunities I had lost in the past because I had never acquired my certificate.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly plays a role in improving people's lifestyles by giving an unconditional cash transfer. Due to the unconditionality of its support, any beneficiary can opt to use it in a manner that is only meeting their immediate needs. For instance, with the transfer, I started a business and livestock rearing. These are ventures that will be more beneficial to my family. Fortunately, as a result of GiveDirectly's program, we have witnessed positive steps in our lives that we could not witness at first. Although all it does is well, it can only consider coming back to just enroll a few people that were not around at the time of its enrollment stage.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I opted to spend KES 10,000 on buying a new mattress. At first, I did not have better bedding. Painfully, my previous beddings were torn and hence uncomfortable to use. I am so glad that I have new and better ones. In addition, I used KES 14,000 to pay school fees for my son. He is at the moment in secondary school. As a result, he has ample time to focus on his studies with less disturbance related to fee problems. Since my house's roof was not in a good condition, I spent KES 5,000 on innovating my house roofing which is currently better. The rest I used to promote my business of making shoes and buying food for the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($480 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On this particular day when I received the MPESA text from GiveDirectly, I was still at work doing my shift since I work at a mine. I was so happy and had to counter check my balance confirming it was not a scam message. I planned on how to utilise the funds and after two days I was able to do a withdrawal of the same.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The funds gave me the opportunity to at least build my own house and improve the living conditions from what I was previously subjected to.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The KES 55000 received was readily put into good use as I decided to construct a good house for me to live in as the one I was formerly in was small and not in good condition. I bought iron sheets at KES 16500, timber worth KES 12000 and nails to attach the outer structure at KES 1700. The remainder of the cash KES 24800, I utilised it on food products to supply me through the month.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
With the fact that I got into an accident that led to losing some parts of my body, I cannot continue working as a casual labourer. I had started repairing shoes but I don't have the capital to buy some of the materials such as shoe soles, gums, tough bond, Shoe polish etc. It was my wish that if I could get at least 15000 KES I could open a shoe repair shop. I can slowly expand my business through the small profits I will be making. Now that I am part of this programme I see my wishes come through.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For two years I felt like a nuisance in my neighbour's lives. None of them spared an insult on why I don't own a phone. Each time I wanted to talk to somebody over the phone, I had no choice but borrow. A few months ago, I bought a phone and I am glad that I don't have to persevere with all kinds of insults anymore. I can easily reach out to whoever I want to with my phone.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Sleeping on an empty stomach is not breaking news for me. Imagine a rumbling stomach for a whole night not even sure if I can get anything to eat the following day. Sickness pains but for me it meant different, I got sick some two weeks ago but thanks to the hospital I went. Aside from the treatment, I was also given a bag of twenty packets of Fortified Blended Flour.As of now I can at least two cups of porridge every morning but again it will not last long.
