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 ($476 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 current and I am thankful for the one that I am working on which was to own a motorbike. I have been thinking of having it for quite some time purposely for a business. My spouse and I have been jobless and I am proud to mention that this has created a job opportunity for him. We have been able to fulfill our family's needs timely without straining life before.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by ensuring that each household gets the financial support equally. Currently, 90% of the residents in my village have modern houses, a variety of livestock, and making sure all children are in school. There is a huge transformation that would take ages if it were cash. I do not see any part that GiveDirectly deserves to change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the whole of my second transfer ( KES 55000) in settling a debt from a shop whereby I had bought it on credit. I am so happy and have peace of mind because the debt is fully settled. My spouse has now secured a full-time job through it and the business has been doing so well. On a good day, he makes a profit of KES 500. We have been able to take good care of our three children without struggling like before. This is the precious and best gift I have ever received in my life and I will always be grateful to GiveDirectly for the improvement.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy when I received the money because it had been very long ever since I received a similar amount and there was no way of getting it. We all depend on my husband who is a casual laborer and the most he could afford in a day was just a packet of flour for the whole family, therefore getting to receive this money was a very big relief, not only for me but my husband as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference I see in my life right now is that I now possess a few things that I can depend on to address the challenges that I would face and that some challenges are no longer there. Before, we could barely afford a packet of maize flour for the whole family with nothing to accompany it. It was difficult times that I could never find answers to, however, we can now afford a more balanced meal and a relatively good and improved life. This makes me so happy and relaxed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on getting a motorcycle for my husband on hire-purchase in which cost us a total of KES25000 in deposit. This was my husband's idea because he would be operating as a motorcycle taxi driver which would be his full-time job. Being a casual laborer and unable to do very heavy manual jobs as a result of medical complications suffered from an accident, the idea of owning and operating a motorcycle taxi was a more sustainable means to providing for our family. I also bought four goats at a total cost of KES10000 because they can persevere in this dry climate of our area, unlike cows and sheep. Therefore, I am very grateful because I am now in a position to actively fend for my family now and even in the future because the goats will multiply and we can depend on them.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting livestock farming to me. I am a Shepherd who looks after livestock for other people to earn a living. This has been the main economic activity that I have been doing. My husband used to work in Embu as a houseboy but now is not able to work because he was involved in an accident that broke his right arm and serious injuries on his head. This has made him being economically inactive for now. Consequently, I had to take his responsibility of being the bread winner for the family as a Shepherd. I have a family of three children, one in class one and the other two are still young. Meeting the basic needs of my family has been difficult since I earn $ 20 a month. I intend to use the first cash transfer from give directly to take my husband for check ups. I will then use the second cash transfer to buy six goats and four cows. These will cost a total of $ 400. This will help me achieve my dream of owning my own livestock as an investment for my children education in future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is happiest part of my day. This is because I usually wake up at six o'clock to prepare breakfast for my children. I then take the livestock to the bush for grazing. I stay there till noon then come back to cook lunch for my family. As woman I also have to wash clothes for my children and my husband after lunch. So the only time I get time to rest and refresh my mind and body is usually in the evening after taking supper.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life. Since my husband was involved in a serious accident that almost cost his life, life has really been difficult because of the burden of responsibility to provide for the family. For a long time I have been relying on my husband as the sole breadwinner for our family, but then since the accident, I had to take his responsibility to provide for the family. I earn less than $20 a month and this is not enough to meet the basic needs of my family. I have desired to have my own livestock that will help me sell milk and the goats and cows when they multiply but then this has not been possible due to lack of money which has contributed to us living a miserable life in our village
