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
53150 KES ($445 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
At the time my last transfer was sent, I had a priority of completing my new house. However, as soon as I finished it up, I developed a new goal of saving part of it to pay fees for my younger brother. He is a bright young man, he is currently in college and pursuing an educational course. I plan to offer him much support because I am very hopeful that he will succeed and easily support himself. Him completing his studies will be historic and a symbol of hope in our family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Unlike other NGOs, GiveDirectly does well in giving unconditional transfers to the poorest community members. This allows us to prioritize how to spend our transfer in acquiring urgent needs. Through this, we have had a remarkable change in our living standards. For instance, my single-roomed rental house stalled for a year, but upon receiving the transfer, I completed it. It is going to serve my family better. In my opinion, I have not so far observed what GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
From the second transfer, I spent KES 21,000 on buying building materials for finishing a single-roomed rental house from my nearest center. I had hoped to have an investment that can earn me additional monthly income. I am glad, courtesy of the transfer, that the house is complete and ready to be rented out. From its monthly rent, it will be easier for me to raise part of the school fees for my school-going children. It will minimize cases of my children being away from school as a result of fee arrears.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I woke up in one fine morning of December 2021, I found a message in my phone. Upon checking I saw the promised transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy waking up with a lot of money in my account. This money had been received in my phone at around 11pm when I was a sleep.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After the breakdown of my motorbike, things started falling apart because making the ends meet and bring some food on the table was becoming a big challenge. The biggest difference that GiveDirectly brought in my life is reviving my business after repairing the motorbike and also enabling me to complete my business house. As at now I have income generating projects from the house and the business. This is through the support I received from the organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I withdrew the money, I first completed my business house at the trading centre. At first I was planning to start a shop business but later on I got some requests from people who were looking for accommodation and I converted it to a rental house so that I can be assured of getting some income monthly. The completion cost for this house was around KES 18000.00. Thereafter, I repaired my motorbike for KES 11000.00. This motorbike aids me in my charcoal business where supply them direct from the field at Bamba in Kilifi County to the consumers in Mombasa. I also took KES 17000.00 and paid for my young brother who is in college. For the remaining amount, I bought some food and clothes for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
We have a family land at the market center where I was offered a plot. From my small savings, I was able to assemble some building materials. I intend to construct a business store from the transfer I will get then the remaining amount to stock my store. Currently, from my daily casual labour I earn roughly 15000KES. This amount is now becoming insufficient for my family needs since I have my father and mother who also depend on me sometimes when my older brothers fail to provide for them. Therefore, I believe with this shop business the income will expand and be able to take care of at least 85% of my needs if not 100%.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My grand father was diagnosed with a heart disease in 2018. It was challenging for my mother since she was time to time needed to travel to check her father. But around June this year, he was taken to a hospital and underwent a successful surgery. So as we speak my grandfather is fine and recuperating well. This has brought about a big relief because I see my mother wear a smile again.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
School fees. I have my younger brother who joined college September this year and also my son who who joined kindergarten. All of them depend on me for support with my brother almost 50% and my son 100% since am the one very active and having small family unlike my older brothers who have big family. So with my 15000KES a month, it become very challenging for me to take care of all these needs.
