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 ($459 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I do have a new goal. If I get some money, I aim to renovate my house. I want to build some pillars on the corners and all around the house to make it firm. This is because the poles which were used have overstayed and some were destroyed by termites. Currently, I do not have the money for that but it is my priority and I am working towards accomplishing it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Honestly, in my opinion, I do not think there is anything that GiveDirectly does not do well because the whole process has been smooth and they delivered as they promised. Personally, my life was not moving on well after Corona confiscated my husband his job. We lived in a leaking house but we are thankful because the first transfer we got enabled us to repair our house. I would wish to encourage you to continue empowering other communities through cash transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the second transfer, I first paid KES 5000.00 school fees for my two primary school children who were out of school due to school fees. Paying the school fees enabled them to go back and I am sure they will catch up on the lost time and do well in their examinations. I also bought a mattress for KES 6500.00 since the one I used was worn-out. I opted for a new one so that I could sleep at a better place and sleep well comfortably. Thereafter, I repaired chairs that had broken down and I had a shortage of chairs at my home. I also bought some clothes for my family because the ones they had were overused. Therefore, I used KES 4000.00 on clothes and saved the remaining amount for the family's use.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the evening at around 6pm and I was from fetching water when I found out about the text message confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy the moment I received the money because I knew that the problems I had been facing would definitely come to an end, especially the roof of my house that had always been open. This used to give me sleepless nights, mostly when it rains, therefore, I was so happy when I received the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is I was able to do what I couldn't do before. I was able to complete the roof of my house, which used to make me so stressed and with sleepless nights. I am now so happy and grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 25000 on materials and labor charges for completing the roof of my house because I had wanted and had it as a priority for a very long time, since it had always been open which used to give me sleepless nights especially when it rains at night. This also due to the fact that I hadn't been able to address it because I used to rely on my little local kiosk business which was also adversely affected by the global pandemic, that is, the COVID-19. Therefore, the little I could raise was mainly to meet my family's immediate needs, which was basically food. I also spent KES 20000 on buying a cow because I didn't have before and had desired to have livestock. I was motivated, to buy this cow, by the thought of it reproducing and increasing in numbers which will give me the ability to address some of the challenges I will be facing in the future. I am, therefore, so happy and proud that I was able to complete the roof of my house as well as get a cow, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Am delighted that I will be able to support my family fully, and this money will greatly transform my life, I don't have to rely on my parents anymore and also because my husband is working hard but doesn't get a good pay now I can help him wherever he will ask for my support.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Receiving my identification card which had taken almost 5 months and it was even stressing me, because I couldn't access services like relief food, but am glad I was able to register my safaricom line and am able to participate in the Givedirectly transfer program.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As at now that we are living in a house that lacks windows and doors and even the roof is half constructed, and this makes it easy for snakes, mosquitoes to come in easily and it's putting our lives in danger.because my babies can easily be infected with Malaria or even risk getting bitten by snakes.
We also lack beddings, no bed or mattress so I have to sleep on hard surfaces so on cold days it's so tough for us, so this transfer just came in at the right time.