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 ($469 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Right now, I am planning to buy a dairy cow which will be a source of milk and daily income for my family. This is because currently I don't have one and have to buy milk on a daily basis.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well because through the transfers the living standards of people are improved. For instance, I didn't have my own house before the transfers but as we speak I have bought my own piece of land and build own houses through the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on building two semi permanent houses because initially I lived in a tiny house rented from a relative.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember vividly that it was some minutes past 8 am when I received a Mpesa message. I was on my way to go and check a piece of land that was being sold since I had plans of acquiring it once I received my transfer. I became so happy on confirming that the money was from GiveDirectly and I had to read the Mpesa message severally to assure myself that I was not dreaming. I whispered a word of prayer thanking God for giving me the means of having a place to call my own.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning a piece of land has made me a happy person and I now live with hope that all the sufferings are just for a while. Living in someone's house had given me a lot of concerns as one cannot even plant anything and it had always been my prayer to own a piece of land one day. I am glad that GiveDirectly enabled me to achieve this dream that has given me so much joy as a single parent. Currently, I am in the process of acquiring some building materials and I will use the next transfer to purchase the remaining ones and to commence the construction of our house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 35000 from it to buy a piece of land and I am currently the happiest landowner. I settled on this since I have been living in someone's house for the last two years and it had always been my wish to have my own. Also, I spent KES 5000 on clothes for my children and food to last us for some time. Using the remaining KES 15000, I bought some timber that I am planning to use in building a house in my newly acquired land so that I can relocate to where I can at least plant some vegetables for our consumption.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I currently live in someone land after I got separated with my spouse. It is almost 10 years now since I start living and providing a lone basic needs for my four children. Being a landless is what have been stressing me a lot given that I small business and casual job I do is not enough even a lone school fees. Receiving this money means I will start owning a piece of land since I will use around 30,000 shillings to purchase it. I am also planning to use the rest of the money in purchasing building materials and others in stock my current business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the morning. It is at time because this is the time I usually receive a call or secure someone requiring my services. I am casual labourer who weeds or plough people land or transport water at a fee. Securing job everyday is what makes me happy because I know at the end of the day my family will have something on the table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is lack of stable source of income. As a single parent our everything depends on me yet I have unstable source of income. I depend on any casual jobs available in the village like transport water at a fee or weeding someone gardens. Per day I can get around 100 shillings that is not even enough for food thus leave us sometimes depend on other people.
