GiveDirectly: Send money directly to the extreme poor

2nd Payment

Transfer Amount

53150 KES ($526 USD)

4 years ago

How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?

My life is different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I am now living comfortably. My house can accommodate us comfortably and we are no longer being rained on.

In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by having no discrimination and giving us equal amounts of money.

What did you spend your second transfer on?

I spent a good amount from my second transfer to build a spacious house for my family. The one we were living in was small and its roof was leaking. This always made it dumb and unfit for our health. Also, I paid school fees for my children using some amount so that they would not be sent back home. I spent the remaining amount to buy two sacks of maize that would last us for some time.

Initial Payment

Transfer Amount

55000 KES ($529 USD)

almost 5 years ago

Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.

The biggest difference in my life is that I am now a proud owner of two heifers that I have always planned to have but in vain. Finances have been the major setback to all my plans I am also glad that I was able to pay my son's school fees who is sitting for his final exams this year. On top of paying my son's school fees, I was able to purchase a solar panel that would help my children study and do their homework in the evening. I am so happy about the progress that I have made since I received these transfers.

Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?

I was just waking up at around 4 am when I received a message notifying me that I had received some money from Give Directly. I was so excited that I could not wait for sunrise to go and buy a cow that I had long planned. I knew immediately that my life would change through the funds!

What did you spend your first transfer on?

I bought two heifers for rearing using the transfer I received from Give Directly. I have always wanted to have my own cows because I use a lot of money to buy milk. I know that life will now be cheaper because I now have cows and I won't be spending money to buy milk anymore. Apart from that, I also bought food and a few household items such as a solar panel and a battery. I used the rest to pay for my children's school fees. I thank Give Directly for their assistance because without them I wouldn't have done this much.

Enrolled

almost 5 years ago

What does receiving this money mean to you?

My first priority upon getting this money is to buy a piece of land for farming since the one my family and I currently live in ain't enough to cultivate, hence the little money I earn from working as a casual labourer is mostly spent on buying food which we could have cultivated if only we had land for farming. I also plan to build a bigger iron roofed house since the one my family and i live in is smaller compared to the bigger size of the family.

What is the happiest part of your day?

My usual day entails waking up as early as 7.30 am to go to work in a nearby household whereby i work as an househelp. I am usually happy in the evening when im back home since this is the time i spend doing my household chores as well as spending time with my family.

What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?

Two years ago,I was diagnosed with heart disease which denies me a chance to engage in strenous activities which could have earned me more income. I work as an househelp in my neighbour's house, a job that fits me healthwise but at the end of the month, the money i earn (ksh 2000) is barely enough to provide for my family. My husband on the other hand is athritic and is too old to work which means i am the sole breadwinner of the family. This is the biggest hardship i am facing