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 ($479 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my main aim is to get a bed and a mattress. I kept these items as a priority after accomplishing the plans for the second transfer. Though I have a good spacious house, I am still sleeping on a small old-looking traditional bed with tone mats. So if I get some money I will ensure that I buy the bed and the bedding.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Before GiveDirectly came to register my family as a beneficiary, we were living in a poor state. The house we had was very small and was full of holes on the sides. Going out of the house was not necessary to use the door since there were several openings. In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a good organization that helps everyone without segregations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Initially, when I received the first transfer, one of the things I did was construct a house. I did the blockwork and I ran out of money when I was about to start the roofing. In that regard, upon receiving and withdrawing the second transfer, I used the whole amount to buy roofing materials as well as make the roof. As of now, my house is complete and I am happy with it since it is very spacious to accommodate my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As I was exhausted, struggling in cutting logs to make charcoals my phone vibrated and upon checking was the transfer promise we were told by the GiveDirectly staff that we were going to receive. This message was too heavy for my heart to carry. Getting KES 55000.00 at once at time when you are struggling to get KES 200.00 to take home for some food was not easy. I dropped my panga, took a step backward and sat on the ground thanking God for bringing GiveDirectly to me. I was filled with joy and up-to-date the joy hasn’t faded.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I know have a place I can all home. Even though the house is incomplete but it has given our home a shape. Initially, visitors would think my house was just a hut in a garden where the farmer rests after a daylong in the farm whereas to me, it was everything. Much appreciation to GiveDirectly for giving me a home.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After doing a plan on how I was prioritizing the usage of the money, a house was the 1st priority since the one I was living in had fallen down. I bought some building sand for KES 5100.00, 15 bags of cement for KES 8900.00 and also some interlocking blocks. I did the whole bock work and realized that the remaining amount couldn’t support the roofing section thus I bought 2 goats and used the rest for food. I believe GiveDirectly will honor their promise again and I will be able to complete my house.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means building my house. I came from a polygamous family. For the past 3 years, we have been sharing the same structure something that has hindered my privacy. This has been my dream but due to financial instability, it has never come to pass. I plan to spend 40,000 shillings to construct a 2 rooms house so that I leave comfortable and retain my privacy. Other than that, I will invest the remaining amount in education so that I clear all the fees balances for my child who is in secondary education. She has been in and out of school due to fee arrears.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of the day. It is at this time when I have enough time to rest and chat with my grandchildren ,after a long day of herding and tilling our land.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband lost his job early last year after he became sick and he could no longer perform any work. Life became tough because he was the only breadwinner in the family. Currently, we depend on substance farming which earns is little coins. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income is our biggest hardship.
