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 ($475 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I wanted to build a better home for my family and I since the one we lived in prior was not far from collapsing and we feared if it did happen some day we could even still be inside the house and I also had the ambition of owning a couple of livestock for the aim of domestic purposes and benefit.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Through this program there has been a positive transition in my day to day life which I had not foreseen ever happening due to lack of funds but now I have a better home for me and my children and we feel content and safe. I honestly glad I got introduced to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the initial transfers I managed to buy five goats and also I managed to build a house as stated earlier our house was almost falling apart and the roofing had so many holes that even when it rained my children and I would spend the night trying to find a corner to avoid getting soaked in the rain. But since I got the second transfers I have yet to use them but I intend on getting livestock which includes around four cows where one goes for KES 12,000 which will make a total of KES 48,000 and I want the cows to eventually help me in plowing the land and making the job easier, faster and less tedious for me.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt very happy for receiving the transfer. I vividly remember I was in my home busy drying maize before taking them to the posho mill. I received an Mpesa message on my phone and after checking, I realize that it was the transfer GiveDirectly promised to send us during the enrollment stages.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am currently living a comfortable life after putting up a new roof to my house. I no longer have to worry whenever it rains at night. Previously, my house was leaking and I was spending sleepless nights with the kids due to the poor condition of our house. Furthermore, I own proper modern beddings and I am nowadays enjoying my nights.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES18,000 of my transfer to improve the condition of my house by putting up a new roof. I bought 19 iron sheets, timber and paying the labour charges for the construction of the new roof. Previously, my house was leaking, I was spending sleepless nights due to the poor condition of my house since the rain was falling directly on us. I also purchased a modern bed and mattress for KES 10,300. I was using the traditional bed and sacks as beddings that were not comfortable to sleep on. In addition, I bought a small water storage tank for KES 2000 to store enough water for family consumption. I am planning to use the remaining amount to start goats rearing a reliable source of income for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this transfer means practicing livestock keeping. This has been my desire to have a long-term investment, but due to financial challenges, this dream has never come to pass. I am planning to spend 50,000 shillings to purchase 2 indigenous dairy cows and 5 goats. I hope that they will multiply in the future and be able to sell them and educate my 4 children who are in primary school. Also, it is going to generate income for my family. In a day I can sell at least 6 liters of milk and make 300 shillings which are enough to sustain all our needs such as food. Other than that, I will invest the remaining part of the transfer in small businesses (kiosks) which is an additional source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of the day. This is because I have enough time to rest after working on my house chores. I can sit with my neighbors and chat. Unlike in the morning and evening when I am too busy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a single parent with 4 children who works as a charcoal vendor. This job is tedious and earns me 450 shillings in a week, which is not enough to sustain all the needs such as food. Therefore, lack of a reliable source of income is my hardship.
