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
access_time almost 2 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 want to concentrate on dairy farming because I now have three cows and one of them is almost giving birth. At the end of the year, I want to have five dairy cows and accomplishing this means that I will have a reliable source of income and thus I will be able to provide for my family comfortably.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is transforming poor communities through giving people unconditional cash transfers and allow them to make choices on their own.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I was enrolled in the program, I had started building a permanent three bedroom house because the muddy one bedroom that I was living with my wife and four children was very small for us. Although I was hopeful that I will finish the project mid last year, I couldn't because I had to close my business of selling second hand clothes when inflation hit the economy hard. Therefore I spend both my first and second transfer to finish building up the house. Right now, I am glad that we have enough shared space for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The transfers were sent late in the evening and since I did not have any serious engagement, I was just taking some rest. Although deep within me I was really worried about how the cost of living had gone up with commodity prices on the rise every day. As my mind was thinking over all the current situation in our country, I received a message notification and as soon as I checked it, I at first did not believe my sight. A Mpesa message of KES 55,000? Honestly, I had a mixed reaction, I felt both happy and shocked at the same time. That was amazing because the highest amount I had ever received in my lifetime at once was KES 20,000.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Currently, I am experiencing a better life than before. Having built a new house has brought a positive change in my life. A situation that I had been longing for the past years. I had been living in a single room that cannot accommodate all my family members. With the newly built house, my children are likely to get a spacious and nearby place to spend their nights rather than always walking to the neighborhood. This would have not been achievable without the transfer. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for the act of kindness.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
At the time my transfer was sent, I was living in a house that was in dilapidated condition. Several times, I had tried to raise some money for building the house although this had never succeeded. With the transfer, I, therefore, spent KES 48,000 on building a new house. Once the current house is completed, I shall allow my children to use the previous house in order not to struggle to go and spend in the neighborhood. I am glad that the current one is a three spacious bedroomed house.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am happy that in the last six months, I have been running a second-hand cloth business. I have been able to see my through out of my profits of approximately KES 800 a day. It gave me hopes of renovating my mad walled houses in addition to making it easier to meet my daily household needs. This cash transfer to me is a dream come true. I am planning to use KES 60000 to construct a new permanent house. It has given me a humble mind since I had been in deep thoughts about whether to expand my business or build a new house. I will be living in decent houses and I will use my savings and profits to expand my business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work hard to see my family have good access to their daily basic needs. As a father, having a happy family is all I want. To achieve this I need support from my wife and children. To me, my happiness in the last six months, is love, peace and togetherness. This gave us the power to undertake every work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is the major challenge I am currently facing. I was not lucky to complete my secondary school making it hard to secure formal employment. I rely on farming which is adversely affected by low rainfall and pests. Thus the low yields I get per year are not enough for consumption and sales.
