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
55000 KES ($456 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have no new goals at the moment since I achieved all that I had set out to get.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly uplifts the lives of the common people. I am happy I got the chance to turn my life around with the assistance that I received from you.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had bought land previously but I had not been able to finish paying for it. I am glad that I was finally able to settle the land balance with the transfers that I got. In addition to that,I was also able to buy food for my family. I intend to develop the land and start construction in December and for that purpose,I have bought building blocks,cement and iron roofing sheets to help me achieve this. That was my main goal for this year and I am thankful that I was able to get there with the assistance of Give Directly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning that day when I heard my phone ring and on checking it I was met with a pleasant surprise from GiveDirectly.I had indeed received money from GiveDirectly and the first person that I informed was my husband. He was equally very much impressed and happy upon learning that we had received money as we had been promised. We later planned on how we were going to spend the money to reap maximum benefits from it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Biggest difference in my life that came about because of this transfer is the plot that we were finally in a position to pay fully. I would not imagine that I would be in a position to pay for the plot soon. We are so glad that we were finally able to pay for the plot and that we can now think of other valuable investments.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used KES 20000 to pay for a plot that we had bought on credit earlier on and used another KES 8000 to buy iron sheets for competing a house that we had earlier built but which had not been completed. We used another KES 3000 to buy livestock for keeping and paid school fees with another KES 2000. KES 5000 was useful in advancing our farming practices while the remaining amount was used to buy food and other basic household needs. We had not been able to pay for the plot in full since we entirely depended on income made by my husband through casual work and which would just be enough to buy food and nothing to invest at all.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Seeing as my household only depends on one income, sometimes I feel like I should pull some weight too. Much as I do not have much formal education, I can run a business. In the village, livestock farming is quite lucrative in the long run. Goats can endure adverse weather and that is what I would like to venture into. Later in the year, I can sell them for a much higher price and make a good profit. I will split these funds to pay school fees and buy a few goats, maybe 10 or 15.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I feel so appreciated when my husband gifts me. He does not earn much but every once in a while, he ensures that I am happy. He brings home some clothes for us and candy for our children. I enjoy his loving nature.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband works as a mason in Kilifi. Sometimes, there are no jobs, hence no income. On such occasions, we struggle to feed our three children and pay their school fees. We are forced to either get into debt or go to bed hungry. It becomes very sad when my children ask for something to eat and we cannot provide it. On the nights they cry themselves to sleep, my heart breaks. I cry myself to sleep with them because I feel like I failed on my part as a parent.
