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 ($435 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 would love to expand my business and more stock to the business. If the business continues to nourish, within three months I can be able to accomplish this.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly, always keep us in touch. After every transfer, they call and confirm if I have received which is very good of them. I enjoy picking up their calls.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before the transfers, my house had no doors or windows. I would put ragged clothes on the windows and iron sheets supported with stones on the door at night so that my children can have a warm night. After a day of receiving the transfer windows and the door were installed right away. My children were happy, you could see this in their eyes. I used the remaining transfer to open a business selling second-hand clothes. Used a capital of $250 which generates for me $100 a week which enabled me to buy food for my family and also have some saving that helps on rainy days.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($464 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember very well at exactly 9 in the evening when I was almost finishing preparing dinner when I receive a message notification. Without wasting time I decided to read the content only to realize that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and felt blessed for I knew that finally, my daughter will go to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through financial support, I have been able to send my daughter to school. This has been stressing me for a while because her friends were in school and I was worried that she might not get the opportunity to transition to secondary school. I was so hopeless because I am jobless and my spouse has been the breadwinner for all those years. Providing for our basic needs was sometimes not achievable since he relied on odd jobs. I have been trying all I could to an extent of holding fundraising but in vain. My wish was to see all my three children get a better education so that their future can be bright and do away with the poverty that has stricken us. I am therefore a grateful soul to see her in school with the rest without any disturbances. Had I not received the transfer she could still be at home up to date.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a huge portion of my first cash transfer on clearing fees and bought a new uniform and stationeries for my daughter who was joining high school. She had been at home for about one month while others were already in school. I was so worried that she might not get the chance to continue with her studies since I was facing financial hardships. Additionally, I bought a metal door to fix in my house since the initial wooden one had worn out. Later on, I gave my spouse a fraction of the cash to clear my dowry and I am so grateful for we now have peace of mind. Finally, with the remaining cash, I bought food that took us three weeks.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have excellent skills and experience in operating a second hand clothes business. I used to operate my mother's business of second hand clothes.I was married 7 years back and have been thinking of owning a second hand clothes business but my husband is working as a casual labourer in a soft drink industry with little wages. His daily earnings isnt enough to save for my business. I am a house wife doing household chores, caring for my two children. Receiving the first cash transfer will allow me to open my business and use the second transfer to buy a door for my house ,a bed and a matress because I am sleeping on the flour without a matress.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was introduced to a women group last month which allows women to contribute little amount of money in every week and make savings which can be given to a member in every month . I saw this as an authentic idear and informed my husband about it. What brought joy and happiness to me is that my husband accepted the point of me joining the women group and I believe I will start my contributions at the end of this month. I have hope that this will assist me to buy utensils for my house and also cement my house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Sleeping on the floor without a matress makes me ill. I suffer from pneumonia now and then because of sleeping on the floor. The amount of money I am given by my husband for my daily use isn't enough to sustain my house. If I could have money to start a business, it could relieve me the stress of life because I could be contributing to the daily upkeep of my house. Living as a house wife depending on my husband for everything I need in life is the greatest challenge I have in life.
