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 ($436 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?
Currently, I operate a business of baking and selling donuts to support the needs of my family. By next year, I wish to have expanded this business to a kiosk to increase my returns. I already have the shop space. The only thing that is left is capital to buy the stock, which I plan on raising through the current earnings.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Giving cash transfers is the most significant job that Give Directly does. Through the money, I supported the education of my son and secured goats. These, alongside the house that I built, are vivid proof of how incredibly my family was transformed by the transfers. From where I stand, there is nothing that the organization could improve on.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It is unbelievable how the cash transfers transformed my family’s living standards, something that I had struggled to accomplish through the little I make from making and selling donuts. The transfers allowed me to settle a $35 school fee debt for my son that had remained unpaid since the academic term began and which cost him a few classes. Gratefully, he has constantly remained in school and has never missed a day of learning ever since. Next, I spent $115 on iron sheets and a door to complete building my new house, a project that had been initiated through the previous transfer. My previous house had become old to an extent of leaking water whenever it rained. Right now, besides owning a brand new leakage-free shelter, am also enjoying the larger space its two rooms provide for my son and me.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($478 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8 pm when I was about to go to bed after having dinner with my family members. I had just completed my evening prayers about to sleep. I heard a loud message notification on my phone. Being illiterate, I could not understand it after checking. I just slept until morning when my helper checked my phone and informed me that I had received my transfer. It was a happy day for me since I has never owned such a huge amount of money and was very sure that I will be able to sort out most of my projects.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently living a happy life after starting a small business for my daughter. This has been our reliable source of income and we are able meet our daily needs like food more easily than before. I no longer sleep hungry since the income from the business is comfortable meeting most of our basic needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to construct a decent separate house for my family. Previously, we were sharing the same house with my co-wife where I lacked personal privacy. Similarly, the former house was leaking during the rainy season due to the rusty iron roof. I spent KES 18,000 to construct a decent modern one-roomed house for myself. I also bought 3 goats to start livestock rearing and long-term savings for my family. I intend to sell the offspring to sort out any financial challenges in the future. In addition, I also started a small kiosk business for my daughter where she is selling food stuffs like flour, sugar, and salts at our village. Before the transfer, she was jobless something that made me worried that she engaged in bad activities. I used the remaining amount to purchase enough food stuffs for the family.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow in a polygamous family. We are two wives living in the same two bedroom house. Both of us have children who depend on us for their daily needs. I have two children( a daughter and a grandson). The iron sheets are worn out and leaks when it rains and again it is not spacious enough to accommodate both of us with our children. This forces my daughter and my grand child to borrow shelter from neighbours. This becomes risky to them especially when it rains at night. My ambition has been to own a two bedroom house that will provide shelter to my family. This house cost approximately KES 60000. However, this has not been possible due to lack of enough money. I depend on selling indian bread to make both ends meet. This business earns me less than KES 200 a day, which makes it difficult to save and build a house. Receiving this money will be a great opportunity to make my dream come true
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month in December on Christmas day, my son in law visited me together with his family after two years. They came with huge shopping for the festive celebrations. I felt so happy celebrating with my family and grandchildren. What made it outstanding are the countless requests from my grandchildren to tell them stories and the many times they laughed around my arms. Indeed I will never forget that day in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of reliable source of income is the main challenge that I am currently facing. Being an old widow with no more strength to engage in some economic activities makes life more difficult for me and my family. Imagine at my age walking around the village from house to house selling indian bread everyday. This is very tiresome and affects my health because I come back in the afternoon very tired. However, because there is no any other economic activity I can do at my age, I have no option otherwise I will starve to death. Upon receiving this money I will use KES 30000 of the second transfer to buy two calves which I will keep and sell in the market when they multiply as a source of income.
