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
55000 KES ($453 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?
As of now, my main focus is to complete my house. Though I do not have a defined source of income, through the little savings I get from making charcoals and assistance from my son, I will manage to complete my house. Thereafter, is when I will sit and develop another goal to work on.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is a life-changing organization and I am a testimony to this. Before the organization came, I was living in a small house constructed using poles and grass thatched which later on collapsed. When GiveDirectly came, through the transfers, I managed to construct an interlocking block house. Although it is incomplete this is a true change that could not come to pass if it were not for the organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon getting the second transfer, I started construction of a new house using interlocking blocks since the one I had collapsed. I managed to buy the materials using the first transfer and the actual building started when I received the second transfer. The house is still incomplete since the money was not sufficient but I have some plans of completing it. The done part is almost three times the remaining part so I will manage. Currently, I sleep with my grandchildren in my son's house which has three rooms. Despite my house being incomplete, I am happy for GiveDirectly for the far I have reached with the construction. If it were not for the organization, I would not have done this wonderful work.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 11am when I heard a message tone twice in my opinion . Since I do not know how to read, I contacted my granddaughter who was around and she confirmed that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with the good news of receiving a huge amount of money at once.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I fully depended on making and selling charcoal. This business was full of challenges because it was not promising thus could not rely on it. When I received the money, I first took a break from the charcoal work so as to give my body enough time to rest.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, I first bought 10 bags of cement for KES 7000.00 and two trips of sand for KES 2000.00 to make some interlocking blocks. For the experts of making the interlocking, I paid them KES 3000.00. The reason for making the interlocking blocks is that, the house I was using was collapsing thus opted to construct a new one which is underway. Having settled that, I paid KES 10000.00 school fees for my helper who is in college.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been praying for God to help me find a way of getting money so I can repair my house. The poles at each corner of the building were eaten by ants making it to be unstable. The flux has made the structure bend on one side which is very scary. I have developed insomnia as a result of this, I fear that it might fall at night when we are sleeping. I want to prioritize repairing the house among other things to avoid health hazards and for this to be achieved I might use around 30,000 KES. The second item on my to-do list when I received these transfers is to take my son to college which will cost 20,000 KES. The remaining 60,000 KES will help expand my small business of selling french fries for 5000 KES then save the rest for emergencies. Receiving this money means good housing for my family hence a relief from fear and too many worries, it will also enable my son to join college which is something he has always dreamed of.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Though my business is not giving enough to support my family, I am happy that with time it has grown and I would say that it is more stable than the way it used to be a few months ago. This has brought joy and happiness to my life and that of my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The state of my house is worrying me a lot and sometimes gives me sleepless nights. The effort to raise money for repair has not been fruitful because it costs a lot of money which I cannot raise once. My children on the other hand are looking at me to provide for them but my financial status is not good because the business I depend on only gives me 200 KES per day. The biggest challenge that I currently face therefore is lack of money to meet all the responsibilities in the family.
