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 ($467 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?
I do not have any new goals that emerged since I was able to fulfill all I had in mind. As a widow of four kids, I had been yearning to build a decent house and I am happy that through the transfers, I was able to achieve this. It has been tough all along because we used to seek shelter from family and friends, especially during the winter seasons
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a recommendable and that was evident, especially in the different transformations in the village. I was given the freedom to choose what was I preferred depending on what I was lacking in my household. I, therefore, do not see any sector that they need to change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying two goats at KES 6000. This has been my long time desire to have them but I couldn't afford them because they were very expensive. I settled for them because their pasture is readily available and their offspring mature very fast. I later bought a new bed and a mattress at a total of KES 12000. For so many years I have been sleeping in the traditional bed which was uncomfortable and caused me to have back pains. In addition, I bought new school uniforms for my children at a total cost of KES 4000 and cleared their fees of KES 2500 as well. They are now studying without any disruptions. To add to that I paid a debt of KES 6000 to a friend in the nearby shop. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuff for my family and other housing items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 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 around 9am when I was resting from a long distance of fetching some water when I hear a message tone from my phone. Due to how tired I was, I reluctantly took my phone from the table to see what kind of a message it was though I was sure it is just a promotional message from these funny organizations which just send messages to peoples phones. At a glance on the phone screen, I didn’t believe my eyes at first. I composed myself and took a second glance to comprehend the message well thinking that it may have come from the usual conmen who send messages randomly. My heart was filled with joy and gratitude after knowing that it was the first transfer we were told about GiveDirectly. I jumped up and down in joy knowing that things were going to take a new shape.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My children are no longer laughing stocks due to poor looking school uniforms. They have good school uniforms and they are very happy and confident in themselves not as before when they were just being looked down upon by their fellow students. I am also a changed parent with a good looking house which is a huge improvement and a difference too even though it’s incomplete; I hope to complete it soon.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a parent of 7 children who are all in primary school, the first thing I did was to settle the school fee issue so that my children can have good time in school learning. In that regard, I bought them some school uniforms for KES 1200.00 and paid the school fees of KES 3500.00. Thereafter, I decided to construct a new house because the old one was collapsing. I bought 22 pieces of iron sheets for KES 20900, poles for KES 9600.00. I reserved the remaining amount for the contractor and also for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means getting a new house. I am a widow with a family of nine children. I returned home after the death of my spouse nine years ago. When I came back, my father built a small single room house that currently is not spacious enough to accommodate me and the children. Most of the time, they are forced to borrow shelter from their uncles after supper which brings shame to me due to the stigma that I face as a returnee. I depend on charcoal burning business to make ends meet for my children. This business earns me less than 2000 KES a month which is not sufficient to cater for the basic needs like food, shelter and basic education. I intend to use the first cash transfer to build a two bedroom house that will cost 50000 KES. I will then use the second cash transfer to pay school fees for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day. This is because, I usually leave in the afternoon after cooking for my children to go to the forest for charcoal burning. I spend the rest of the day there and come back in the evening around 6pm. At this time, I get time to see my children, cook and eat with them supper. I also get sometime to refresh and rest as I prepare to face the next day. It is during this time that I feel relieved of the day's stress and afford a smile as I story tell with my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine being a widow and a returnee with a family of nine children that look up on you. The only source of income you have is charcoal burning business that is not reliable to meet the basic needs of your family. This is the current situation that I am facing. Charcoal burning is prohibited in the Republic of Kenya but because it is the only means for survival, I have no choice but to go against the law. This business is not reliable because everyone does it in the village. The much you can earn in a month is 2000 KES which is not enough to sustain my nine children. I have a dream of owning my own business that can bring income but this has never come true. Therefore, the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life is lack of a stable source of income to meet the needs of my family.
