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 ($455 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the moment, I am a student pursuing mass communication. My biggest dream is for me to excel in my academics and also explore my talent in acting, music and comedy. Therefore, I tend to realise this goal by applying for a scholarship or any aid from well-wishers. Thus I am trusting God to open a way.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly services are done professionally and the staffs are well organised. Everyone was treated generously with respect regardless of their socio-economic status. I have not witnessed any inefficiencies or seen loopholes in their line of work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Seeing beyond the horizon has been one of my major aims. This is because I believe that it's upon me to bring change to my own life. Therefore buying a parcel of land in a different location that is more fertile and productive has been a wild dream that I have been chasing for a long time. I was able to invest in a parcel of land in more favourable areas where I used both of my transfers to in securing the land. I am a student, a farmer and an upcoming musician and a comedian. Achieving my dream was not possible before due to unreliable sources of income and I have a wife and a child looking up to me for support. My life has been transformed into a higher standard to a more promising future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($482 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was informed during the enrollment stage that I would receive the promised money any date before the date 20th of February and it came as a surprise to me on the day that I received it since I was expecting to receive it any date between date 15th to 20th. Receiving this money gave me and my family a lot of happiness and I will forever remain grateful to GiveDirectly for the support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
When I compare the way my life is at the moment and how it was before enrollment, I can say that I am living a promising life. First, I am a proud owner of a heifer and I believe that I will no longer be buying milk in the next few years when it calves. In addition, I am in the process of constructing a bigger house for my family and I will always be able to host visitors in my house anytime they visit.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had bought a piece of land from my neighbor when he was selling it and because I had not completed the payment, I spent KES 15000 from my transfer to pay for it so that I would remain with a debt of KES 90000. In addition, I spent KES 18000 to buy 24 pieces of iron sheets that I will use in building a more spacious house since the one we currently live in is small. As a way of investing this money on a project that I can depend on for a long time, I bought a heifer worth KES 12000 and used the remaining amount to buy some timber. I am a comedian and a master of ceremony sometimes and the money that I usually earn from this work had not been enough for me to fulfill these goals and I am happy that GiveDirectly gave me a helping hand.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am currently in the process of building my home on a farm that I recently bought. I intend to build a house because I could only afford to build a temporary structure, one very small room house. I will then buy a dairy cow. I need to spend about KES 60,000 on building a house and buying more land so that I can settle and farm here. I will then buy a cow at about KES 20,000. I hope to reduce my household expenditure by saving the money I would have used to buy milk for daily household consumption. From here, the money that I will save will go to meeting other daily needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six months, I am happy that I have a promise from a famous politician that he will support me to complete my college education. I spoke with him about my predicament that I deferred my education due to a lack of school fees. I anticipate that when he wins in the next general election, he will give me a job in his office to enable me to go back to school. This promise gives me a lot of hope that I will achieve my dream of becoming a journalist.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge that I face is a financial constraint. I am a caretaker for my siblings, supporting my mother because my father passed on when all of us were young. I have to share with her my income from teaching in a local primary school and working as a master of ceremonies in village functions. My monthly expenditure is KES 6,000 per month while I earn only KES 4,000 from teaching.All the responsibilities of taking care of them including my young family strains me financially.
