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.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($444 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?
After completing the construction of our new house and improving both the livestock and subsistence farming practices, I am currently working hard to strengthen the projects and expand the existing poultry unit to ensure an increase in production. I don't have a new goal at the moment but hopeful that the current projects will keep us going towards realizing all the goals we had set.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a great job in our village that everyone appreciated. From the initial process, everything went well to the completion, and am always grateful for being part of the program. The monetary support best-suited everyone since our needs within the village varied and everyone chose how to spend.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
On receiving the second transfer, I had to complete the construction of a house that I had started with the first payment. I did most parts of the construction except for the doors and windows that I bought at KES 6000 and paid a labor cost of KES 500 to fix them. I am happy that my family of eight is happily enjoying the spacious new house. I also bought a heifer at KES 18000 projecting to increase in the production of milk in the future. In addition, I spent KES 10000 on buying new pairs of clothes for my children, improved my farming with KES 2000, purchased a sack of maize at KES 2800 that we used as a foodstuff, and saved the remaining amount to check and replenish the household goods.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had gone to fetch water at the river when I received the message that I had received money from Give Directly. I had to put down the water so that I could confirm if it was true I had money in my account. I was felt so much joy in my heart and thanked God for the surprise.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the happiness of having managed to construct a new, better house. It is more decent and fits my family. We also have our privacy because we do not share a sleeping room with my grown-up children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent 35000 KES on timber, iron sheets, and nails which I have already used to construct a new house. The previous one was too squeezed to fit my large family of 6. Sharing a sleeping room with my grown-up children was fun at all. We are currently using the previous house for both cooking and a sleeping room for my children. KES 10000 I paid in school so that I could clear the fee arrears my children owed the school. The rest of the money I spent on both a bag of corn and other foodstuffs for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing. I have one grass-thatched house which is less ventilated and gets smoky during cooking. It is not comfortable to cook in the presence of visitors. I also have a grown-up girl who has to sleep in my brother-in-law's house. This is something I am not proud of as a parent especially when my daughter has to go alone to my in-laws to sleep. I am worried that she might be eaten by wild animals or even raped on the way at night. So when I get this money I will spend KES 30000 of the transfer to construct an iron-roofed house. I also do not have a cow of my own. In our culture owning a cow boost your self-esteem and at the same time, it will help me with milk to feed my children. A good dairy cow I spend KES 25000 to purchase.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My daughter joined secondary school 6 months ago. Despite the financial constraints we are going through, I am happy she has not been sent home due to a lack of school fees. We have tried our best to ensure we have paid her academic fee. This has brought joy and happiness into my life knowing she has humble time to study.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge is financial constraints. I depend on casual jobs weeding people's farms which is not consistent also. Payment also varies from maize to sweet potatoes. It is not guaranteed that you will be paid in cash. This has also made me start plaiting ropes as another source of income. Getting sisal for plaiting is also a challenge. One rope is sold at KES 20 thus insufficient to meet all my household needs. My husband works as a security guard and his earnings go to paying school fees for my children.
