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 ($518 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having a roof over my head is one of the biggest differences in my life. Using the transfer, I built a nice house and left the old one that had been leaking during the rainy season. Furthermore, this is more comfortable because I own it, unlike the one I had occupied after my brother. Without GIveDirectly, I would not have been able to own a home.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDireclty did well by giving everyone in my village this money. The selection was so fair that every resident of the village who deserved it got the transfer. I do not have any complaints because GiveDirectly did very well in their work here in my village.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent the money I received on building a house. I needed a house because I had none! I was living in my brother's house who had moved to another farm. I had to build my own house on this same farm but at least the house will be mine. The only way I could have managed it was by using the transfer I got. I then spent the rest of the money on farming. I bought maize seeds and prepared the land. I finally bought foodstuffs for the household as well as bought clothes and paid fees for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
attach_money
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk and it was so costly for me. Sometimes we could go without milk because there was no money. Currently, I have enough milk for my family and a times sell the surplus at the market to meet additional household needs and also pay school fees for my children.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt so happy. I remember It was very early in the morning when my daughter told me that there was a message on my phone and immediately when she read the message it was money from GiveDirectly. We were so happy because we knew that all our plans were to be accomplished.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on buying two cows, I also started poultry keeping project and the rest of the money I used it to clothes for my children and food for the family. I'm so happy for the support it has boosted my work at home.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to complete paying schoolfees for my threee children in primary school who have been sent home due to fee arrears. I also intend to buy two dairy cattle to boost my income upon selling milk and this will also help me save the amount i usually spend buying milk for my family consumption
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually wake up as early as 6.00 am to go looking for a casual jobs in people's homes which will enable me to feed my children at the end of the day. Evening marks the happiest part of my day after i am back home carrying food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a single mother of five, the biggest hardship i face is financial constraits. I engage in casual jobs such as weeding, digging and harvesting in people's farms and the daily income i am usually paid is barely enough to meet all the needs of my children. Sometimes we sleep on empty stomachs whenever i fail to get a job and that worries me so much. I feel like i am failing my children and i just hope life will get better when i receive money from GD.
