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 ($512 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My heart is full of joy for having built a house where my children and relatives can sleep in. I used to do casual jobs in the village and the money I got was not enough for both my family's basic needs and to save to acquire a new house. I am a single mother, therefore, having this house sounded like vanity though I kept the dream. The money from GiveDirectly enabled me to buy building materials and pay workers who built a house for me. Nowadays, I am free to welcome anybody who visits because besides my main house I have another one where my children and relatives relax after working on their various roles or get together events as well.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well buy giving unconditional money to the poorest households in my village because with the hunger to come out of poverty these beneficiaries spent their cash on what the lacked the most. As a result, their is a big impact my community has gained from increment in the numbers of livestock to change in their household set up.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer on buying building materials, such 15 pieces of iron sheets , timbers, nails and paying laborers to build a new house where my children and visitors can sleep in. The remaining amount I bought tables 3000 KES and sofa set seats 15,000 KES.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($550 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now do less casual work. I rested for a whole week when I received this transfer and when I resumed work, I was well-rejuvenated and healthier. I also do not have to wake up too early to go do casual work or walk a long distance to work and only be paid only 100 KES at the end of the day. I had also been without a sofa set since I had been married. I opted to buy the seat so that I no longer have to borrow from my neighbour whenever I have visitors.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I could not believe that I received this transfer. When I saw the message, I thought it was a scam. I had to confirm with a friend before starting to prepare to go to the market to buy all the household stuff I have always wanted like sofa seats and bedding. I felt so happy and overwhelmed.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I have a son who did not have seats and bedding. His bedding were old and torn which caused him uncomfortable sleep.I used some of the money to buy him the household items such as sofa seat and bedding. I also hired a tractor to plough my land as I am planning to venture into sugarcane farming. I believe the sale of the sugarcane will improve my financial life and help me solve family financial matters in time.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My ambition is to invest in sugarcane farming. I have some land that lies fallow because I lack money to put it in proper agricultural use. I would like to spend the transfer on hiring labor for ploughing, weeding, fertilizer and herbicides. From this I hope to harvest with good returns hence increasing my economic power to meeting the needs of my family like food, education, medication and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. As a casual labor, I spend most of the day weeding in the sugarcane farms. I usually finish the work by evenings and walk home with some little payments that I use in buying food for my family. The essence of provision to my family brings me joy and happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing in life is extreme poverty. I depend majorly on casual labor that involves weeding in sugarcane plantations. This is unreliable and tedious. This makes life so difficult and sometimes forces me to go on empty stomach with my children as I lack money to buy something for them.
