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 ($431 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?
I would like to own three cows that will help me get milk for both commercial and domestic purposes. Milk is a necessity in our village and if I can get $1000 I can buy the cows and start the journey.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly helped a lot when they advised us on the various way to use the money responsibly. The advice has helped me a lot and I plan to use them whenever I have money for investment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am twenty-four, years old I recently married and I am blessed with one child who I love so much. Before moving in with my spouse my parent had built me a tiny house that I had lived since in grade four. After I got my better half I moved in with her. The house was not in a good condition sometimes rain would get into the house and we would move the bed to a position where it is not leaking. Receiving this money has helped me build two houses for my family where I spent $500 on building materials and $30 on food. My family is now safe and I am happy.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($469 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 in the evening around 5 pm; I was planting beans with my wife on our small farm when I heard a message received tone. My wife was some meters away from me and so I started reading the message as I walked close to her. When I saw the text about the amount received, I was so happy and showed her the text. She was more pleased than I was and she almost screamed out of happiness. We finished planting and walked home, brainstorming on what to do with the cash.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I received the funds is the spacious house, which is almost complete. My wife is fortunate because if blessed with a child, will raise my child in a better house that is not leaking. I feel complete that I am no longer the laughingstock of the village because my current house looks far better than the old one.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have lived in a one-roomed house which leaks for over ten years. My source of income comes from my small farm and sometimes am forced to work any casual jobs within the village, including working on my neighbor’s farm or fetching water. Life has been a struggle, as most of the time, I cannot provide for my wife. After carefully checking the list of things we wanted to do, we both agreed to spend the entire amount to build a two-roomed house. The house would be spacious, and finally, the leaking of the roof would not be a problem.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have had a desire to construct a permanent house, the house I am living in is a semi-permanent single room. Therefore I plan to build a decent 3roomed house that can accommodate my growing family, at the moment I have a wife and a son. From my budget, I will spend KES 50000 to build a permanent house. With the remaining money, I will start a shop business for my stay-at-home wife to enable her to be financially independent. I have been a casual laborer who earns KES 800 per week, this is not sufficient to cater to all the family needs like food, clothing, and a decent shelter.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I heard that Give Directly was coming to our village, I was super excited about it because we knew our turn to better our lives was finally here with us.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
During the rainy season the roof of our house leaks, forcing us to seek shelter from our neighbors. This is a big embarrassment to us because some people view us as the poorest in the neighborhood. So receiving money from Give Directly will enable us to build a decent house.
