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 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 a new goal since all I had in mind was to construct a new house and I am glad that this was a success. Initially, I used to shelter under a very small house with an old roof and almost collapsed. Therefore every winter season, I had to seek shelter from friends which was a bit frustrating.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a great job for my entire region by ensuring that we all received our cash transfers timely. Also after collecting the money, the officers made a follow-up to confirm whether the money was well received. This was so good of them and it showed how much they care about us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying three goats at a total of KES 9000. It has been my dream to own them for years but I couldn't afford them since they were relatively expensive. Also, I purchased a new mattress at KES 1100 which was to replace the old clothes that I have been using as beddings. I could always wake up in so much pain with lots of fatigue. I am happy that for now I no longer complain of the discomforts. To add to that, I bought a water tank of 140litters at KES 1200. I can now comfortably harvest and store water for my domestic usage. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it to buy foodstuffs for my family which is comprised of four members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was on October 14, 2021 at around 9am when I was pounding some maize in preparation for the lunch-time meal. While struggling to finish up the work I was doing, I received a message in my phone. I paused to see what the message was all about and to an excitement it was the 1st GiveDirectly transfer of KES 55000.00 that had been sent. I felt too happy to proceed with the work I was doing. I took a break just to reflect on how lucky I was and how I was going to spend the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The one thing that has changed my life since receiving the transfer is the house. Looking at how my financial position was, I couldn’t imagine that one day I would move out of that poor leaking house of mine. As of now I am happily living in a good-looking iron sheet house. Great appreciation to GiveDirectly for the gift of a good house they presented to my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Withdrawing the money was the next step that I took a day after. The first thing I focused on was a house. My house was in a poor state such that I could count some stars at night while in the house. I opted to construct a good new house. I used 80% of the transfer in building the house and the remaining 20% in food and other family needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means improved living standards for my household. This is because I and my husband depend on a charcoal-burning business which gives us little return-KES 700 per week which is not enough for our basic needs. I am planning to spend KES.30000 to buy ten indigenous goats and KES 30000 to buy two indigenous cows and an ox plough. This will help me to cultivate my farm and hire to my neighbors for income. The remaining amount will help me cater to other basic needs such as food and paying school fees for my son.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of the day is in the evening. This is because at this time l share food with my children, something that makes me feel happy. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I might even miss food for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced is food security. It has been three years since it rained sufficiently and heard good harvest in our area. Due to this, I have been struggling to put food for my family. Sometimes, I borrowed from relatives. something that is embarrassing.
