In their own words: Lifted up from the grassroots

Last month, I traveled to Kenya where I had the opportunity to speak with recipients who had received GiveDirectly cash transfers. After a long car ride from Kisumu to Siaya County, my colleague Cindy and I made it to the village where six randomly chosen GiveDirectly recipients lived. At the village center, Cindy, who speaks […]

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In their own words: Selestina, Maureen, and Beatrice

Following the delivery of their first lump-sum payment, our follow-up team spoke to Selestina, Maureen, and Beatrice about how they spent their transfers and about how their lives have changed after receiving them. Both Selestina and Beatrice speak about the work and worry required to maintain a house. Purchasing a metal roof, as they have […]

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In their own words: Francis, Margaret, and Charles

This week, Francis, Margaret, and Charles, each of them at various stages of receiving their three cash transfer payments, spoke to our team. They each described how they spent the transfers and how this impacted their lives. Two of three recipients spent some part of their transfer on improving their homes. For Margaret, home improvements […]

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In their own words: Benard, Peter, and Eunice

Benard, Peter, and Eunice spoke to our team this week about how they spent their initial transfers and about how their lives have changed after receiving these transfers. Benard had received his first of three lump-sum payments, while Peter and Eunice had received their second of three. All three recipients also shared their plans for […]

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In their own words: Grace, Bonphas, and Joyce

Grace, Bonphas, and Joyce spoke to our registration team this week, prior to receiving their cash transfers. All three talked to our team about: 1) how they would like to spend their transfer, 2) their happiest part of the day, 3) their proudest achievement, 4) their greatest hardship, and 5) their current goals. Grace   […]

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In their own words: Selina, Francis, and Alice

“How did you spend the transfer? How is your life different after receiving the transfer?” This week Selina, Francis, and Alice answered these questions from our follow-up teams. These recipients have already received their first lump-sum payment of 40,000 KES (about $375) and are scheduled to receive one more payment of the same amount. We […]

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In their own words: Macoleta, George, and Elizabeth

Individuals living in extreme poverty face a range of challenges, depending on their age, their family size, their occupation, and other circumstances. This week, Macoleta, George, and Elizabeth spoke to our team about their own personal hardships, and how they plan to spend their transfers. These stories offer a glimpse into the remarkably diverse lives […]

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In their own words: Lydia, Mary, and Cristina

This week our team spoke to Lydia, Mary, and Cristina about their daily lives and how they plan to spend their cash transfers. We also took pictures of our recipients with their families and around their homes. Lydia   Lydia, 23, lives with her husband Peter and three children. She is a farmer.   Lydia: I […]

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In their own words: Penina, Lukas, and Fredrick

Penina, Lukas, and Fredrick spoke to our follow up team about how they spent their cash transfers and how this money impacted their lives. Each household has different responsibilities and needs, and cash transfers give recipients flexibility to set their own priorities.Penina Penina, age 29, lives with her husband Thomas and four children. Penina: I […]

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In their own words: Siprosa, Jane, and Teresia

Siprosa, Jane, and Teresia spoke to our backcheck team this week about their hardest moments, their proudest moments, and how they plan to spend their cash transfers. Interestingly, all three randomly selected recipients are widows. Our enrollment data shows that widows make up about 24% of those surveyed in this community.Siprosa Siprosa lives in the […]

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