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 ($430 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal this year was to focus on vegetables farming so that I can get money to be able to pay school fees for my children. Although I was not luck to get education due to poverty, I still believe that education is a key to success and educating my children means that they will have a better future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What GiveDirectly does well is helping the less fortunate in the society and empowering them through the unconditional cash transfers. People have been able to raise their standards of living like my self and my family and we are so grateful for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been living in a single room with my husband and our three children. The same single room servers as the kitchen, living room and bedroom and that's not an environment one would wish to live in. Since I am a housewife and my husband a local businessman, we were not in a position to build a better house because the small income that he got would go to school fees and other basic needs. With our first transfer, we started building a two bedroom house and I spend $400 to finalize it. I spend the balance to buy food for my family that was able to take us for some few months. We are grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support that enables us to build a better house that we live in now.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Upon receipt of the message, I was happy to confirm it was from Givedirectly. At that moment, I was at home and could not hold back celebrations. I was so much grateful and thanked God for the support and planned to withdraw the transfer the following ready to initiate my plans.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Completion of construction of my bee house is my biggest difference which had not been possible for the longest time. I am glad Givedirectly came in to support me in achieving my dream of building my own house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawal of my first transfer, I spent KES 30,000 on the construction of a new house. I had been contemplating building one but because of other financial obligations, it wasn't possible. I am glad that as soon as it is complete we will be comfortable in the warm rooms with enough space for my five family members. I also spent KES 2,000 in paying for remedial fees for my son in primary school. I also spent KES 10,000 on purchasing maize which will sustain us for a couple of months before harvest season. With KES 4,000 I bought small water tanks which I use to store water for consumption. The remaining amount, I spent on buying clothing for my five family members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When my father went on retirement 13 years ago, he build himself a decent house and moved into it. I then occupied the old house months later when I married. Receiving this money means I will own a good timber house which is better than the mud house we are living in. I have a family of six and would not want to raise my children in the same house I was brought up in. KES 40,000 of the transfer will help me achieve this by purchasing building materials and labor costs. I am contented because my family will live comfortably thereafter.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six months, there has been an increase in the commission I earn from livestock brokerage every market day (Mondays). I attribute this to Give directly transfers in the neighboring villages hence increasing money circulation. Before I could earn KES 500 but now I get KES 1,500 and this has brought me happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is a challenge currently because maize farming is no longer reliable in this area due to inconsistent rainfall. My wife and I do casual jobs to earn a living and this is not enough to cater to all the family's basic needs such as clothing, food, and school levies for our three children. As you can see, the maize we expected to harvest in two months has been affected by the lack of rainfall and this will reduce the yields we will get at the end of the season.
