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 ($518 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life have changed after my husband paid dowry as it has bonded my relationship with my in-laws and my family more. Truly speaking I am happy and excited since I have passed this passage that every married woman wishes to have . Secondly , before I used to stay in a squeezed old shanty with cracked walls and leaking since that's what we would afford. Today , I have a different story to tell , I have built a new decent house that my family and I stays in happily and peacefully . Therefore , I can proudly mention that I have achieved alot in a short period of time with GiveDirectly's finances .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , GiveDirectly did well through uplifting the living standards of most poor households in my village . This was enhance by making transfers unconditional meaning everyone had the decision to make on how they would want to spend their money , as a result , majority of the beneficiaries built house ,paid dowry and invested in business.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my second transfer in building a new house 49 ,000 KES . Having completed the construction of my new house makes me happy and relieved since it has been my longest dream that seemed not achievable before. The remaining amount I bought food for my family's consumption
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($548 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that my husband and I were able to pay my dowry. My husband could not pay my dowry before because of our family's responsibilities and the low income that he was getting from his casual engagements. I now have the respect and dignity that I deserve from my community because my dowry was paid. I also feel like my parents have received the appreciation they deserve from my husband.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy! when I saw the message that I had received such an amount, I could not spend another minute with it on my phone. I started preparing straight away in order to withdraw the transfer because I thought the message could be a scam. I went ahead and started the preparation for my dowry payment by buying cows and clothes both for me and my family.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My husband had been planning to pay for my dowry since time memorial but had not been lucky enough to get money to buy the cows as the family is too large and the responsibility is just too overwhelming against his little salary or income. On receipt of the transfer, we decided to budget with it towards dowry payment plans. We agreed to buy two cows and some shopping for my dowry payment. I also used some to buy maize for family consumption as we did not harvest enough from the previous season. My family did not have presentable clothes and so we also bought some clothes and paid school fees for our child who we had transferred from a public school into a private one.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I plan to spend my transfer on buying two cows for paying my dowry. I have been working hard to make my marriage formal and now with this money my dream has come true. I do feel bad when my parents ask about my dowry. According to our custom you only become a wife when your husband has paid dowry.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when working in my Shamba. At this time I am still energetic and in the mood of doing my work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of stable source of income to cater for my family's needs like food, shelter clothing and education. As casual workers we get paid very little money in a day and sometimes we do not get these jobs and this means going without a meal.
