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 ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I have an additional goal that developed recently which was to construct a new house. The initial one is very small and has been forcing my children to sleep at their grandmother's house. As a parent, this has been stressing me for quite some time. Also, during the rainy seasons, I have been squeezing in one corner of the house because the house has been leaking excessively.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did so well by making sure that they visited all the households in the village. The enrolment was very free and fair and did not ask for a bribe from any individual. The majority of us now have assets that we couldn't have owned if it were not for GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30000 of my second transfer on starting a new business ( selling vegetables as such tomatoes, spinach, and onions). Initially, I was jobless and I have been depending on my spouse who also relies on casual jobs. We could hardly meet the family needs considering I have a family of five. My children have been skipping meals and sometimes go without for days. I am hopeful that through this business, I will be able to cater to all the household needs and even save for some more projects. To add to that, I also cleared school fees of KES 8000 for my three kids who are in primary school. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt very happy the momenmt I received my money especially having been told that I am free to use it to address the challenges the way I want. It gave me the ability to buy goats and pay school fees for my children, which was not possible before because I did not have the job and means to do so. I was very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now own goats which did not before. This makes me so happy and proud. Also, My children now have a bed and a mattress which means they no longer sleep on the floor unlike before. They sleep well and go to school, they no longer suffer from the fatigue that they used to as a result of sleeping on the floor.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on the seven goats that I bought at a total cost of KES31500, each for a cost of KES4500. I chose to do this because they are a source of continuity in that they will multiply and I will always remember GiveDirectly and how it helped me whenever I look at my goats. I also spent a total of KES10000 on clothes for my three children and me because we had all outgrown our clothes and we desperately needed new ones.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting a boutique business. This is because, currently there are no jobs in the village that I can do to earn me some money. COVID-19 pandemic has also brought economic crisis that makes life more difficult. Currently I have no job and I depend on my husband to get us food. Besides I have a family of three children who need to access basic education but due to financial challenges, I am not able to meet these needs. My husband depends on casual jobs that are not reliable. This makes life more difficult for me and my family. I intend to use the first cash transfer from Givedirectly to start a small business that will generate some money to help me invest in my children education. I also intend to buy a sewing machine that I will use to learn how to make clothes and sell in order to earn some cash. All this will cost $500. I will then use the remaining amount to educate my children and meet other basic needs for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is usually in the evening. This is the time that my husband comes home with something for our family. Seeing my husband at this time brings joy in my heart since we have time to comfort each other, eat together and encourage him to work hard to make ends meet for our family. This is the happiest moment I have since it makes me forget the struggles for a moment.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the biggest challenge that I have ever faced in my life. Having a young family and still expecting more children in future without any source of a stable income makes me get worried about the future of my children. Waking up and just sitting at home disturbs me a lot. With the young children who need my attention, makes it difficult to even go out to look for casual jobs like washing other people's clothes since my children will want to follow me and may cry if I leave them behind. My husband also has no source of a stable income since he depends on casual jobs that earns him less than $20 a day. This has really contributed to us living a miserable life here.
