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 ($489 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?
My life is different than how it would have been had I not received the transfer. This is because I no longer live in my old dilapidated house whose roof was always leaking during the rainy season. This has been possible since I was able to use part of my transfer to build a more spacious iron-roofed house for my family. Also, security in my homestead has been enhanced as I now have electricity at my disposal hence my compound is well illuminated throughout the night.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid to people and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 10000 to complete building a house for my family. I had started building it using my first transfer but left it incomplete due to insufficient funds. Also, I spent KES 15000 to connect electricity to my homestead. I settled on this so that it will be helping me on lighting purposes. As a way of investing this money, I bought two goats and hens at KES 12000. I will be selling either of these depending on the amount needed when faced with financial crisis. Using the remaining amount, I bought some chairs, clothes and food to last us for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11 AM that is when I got a message notification on my phone. I was a bit nervous and wondered who would send me a message at that time of the day. I checked, only to realize that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was very happy knowing i will finally own a decent house.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Living in a better house has always been my dream for so many years. However, I could not afford to buy the materials because had to do some casual jobs getting a meager wage which could only sustain us with the basic needs. The money was barely enough for the basic necessities leave alone renovating the previous house which was very small and in critical condition. I did not have any hopes of sleeping under a permanent house anytime soon. The transfers from GD have transformed us because we are now sleeping under a spacious permanent house and make the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying twenty-four pieces of iron sheets, building poles, thread. This was for the construction of a new decent house. This has been my desire for a long period of time but I could not afford it because of the poverty life that had stricken my household. I also bought a new wooden bed, blankets, and bedsheets, these were to replace old beddings that I have been using for all those years. To add to that I managed to buy some furniture such as a table, chairs. Lastly, I used the remaining amount of money on buying sufficient foodstuffs and decent clothes.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I will use this money to build a house and purchase a dairy cow. Currently I am living in an old grass thatched house which is too small for me. When I build a new house I will use the grass thatched house as a kitchen. The dairy cow I am planning to purchase will help me to get milk for subsistence and for selling them too.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am very happy in the evening at 6pm because I get time to relax after spending the whole day on a construction site supplying labour. It is the time when I have purchased food for myself.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced is dropping out of school in my second year in high school. I was a bright student but due to lack of school fees, I had to drop. When I see my colleague who continued their schooling I get demotivated and frustrated. That is why I decided to start drinking alcohol believing that it will help me wither frustrations.
