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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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Stages:
Enrollment
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Completed
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal, extending beyond this year, is to acquire all the necessary building materials for constructing a new house. This endeavor will not only grant me peace of mind but also provide the much-needed privacy once I move into my own residence. The new house symbolizes a fresh start for me after losing nearly everything when my previous home collapsed. I express immense gratitude for the monthly transfers I receive, as they will enable me to rebuild my life and fulfill a long-held aspiration of building a house. The lack of sufficient funds had previously hindered me from realizing this dream.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After enduring homelessness for a year following the collapse of my house due to weak pulses and heavy winds, I found myself left with a few salvaged items amidst the rubble. Determined to rebuild, I embarked on a saving spree, gradually acquiring iron sheets and building poles. However, the journey has not been without obstacles. I rely on odd jobs, such as selling charcoal, but my earnings mostly go towards immediate needs like food and clothing, leaving me with no savings for my new house. Thankfully, I have been staying with relatives during this time. When I received my recent transfer, I allocated $20 for purchasing building poles and the remaining $14 for food. These past three months have been particularly challenging, often forcing me to skip meals due to a lack of funds. Therefore, I am immensely grateful for the monthly transfers that have provided me with sustenance and prevented me from going hungry.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My current goal is to build a new house through the monthly transfers. I am planning to buy 20 pieces of iron sheets and building poles soon. I will buy part of these materials every month and accumulate them until I can start my project. Owning my house is what I am yearning for, which I believe I will fulfill through the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has been five years now since my house collapsed and I have not built another house. A fellow widow has accommodated me in our village, though her house is not spacious enough. When I started receiving the monthly transfers, I resolved to buy at least two pieces of iron sheets every month in order to build a new house. I thus spent a bigger portion of my recent transfers on buying iron sheets, and have bought six pieces so far. I am planning on buying the materials until I have enough to construct the new house. I also bought a goat which I am currently keeping at my homestead. I am glad that I now own two goats, which, upon reproducing, I can sell the offspring to meet my financial needs.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am appreciative of how Give Directly's unconditional transfers are improving my life. Currently, I seldom ever go to bed hungry thanks to the food that is readily available owing to the transfers I got.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I purchased a goat with a significant portion of my money, totaling $25. Three years ago, I lost my agricultural business, so I decided to sell charcoal to make ends meet. It takes three days to make the charcoal, which is a pretty tedious job. My advanced age allows me to generate one sack of charcoal, which sells for $3. There isn't any money left over after buying meals for one day to save or pay for other expenses. It was a wise financial decision for me to use my money to purchase the goat. The goat will ultimately multiply, and when I sell some of it, I'll be rewarded by earning money. I intend to use the funds to pay other bills that I am now unable to pay as well as for food purchases. Having used up all of the food in my house, I finally used the $5 that was left over to purchase more food. I'm pleased I never went to bed without eating since I used the money from my transfer to purchase food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was relaxing outside my house around 9 p.m. when I heard my mobile phone ring with a message alert. Due to my inability to read, my son helped me to understand the contents of the message and he found that Give Directly had sent the first transfer. To say I was happy would be an understatement. The money brought me the relief that I would finally receive proper treatment for the fever that had put me down for three days.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Prior to the transfer, my health was deteriorating from a fever that had followed me for three days in a row. I could not do anything at the time because every inch of my body was paining. To make it worse, I could not afford to obtain treatment from the hospital since my charcoal burning business had not produced any money. I am glad because the cash transfer helped me pay for appropriate medication from the hospital. I am fully recovered now courtesy of Give Directly and I could never be more grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
By the time I received the cash transfer, I had been suffering from severe fever and body pains for three. Since I lacked the money to receive proper treatment from the hospital, I used to obtain painkillers from the shop, which did not significantly relieve the pain. Besides, the ailment never allowed me to handle any charcoal burning activities (on which I mostly rely for provision) to raise funds for medication. Gladly, the transfer proved useful at this critical moment. I used KES 500 to acquire appropriate care from the hospital. I am recovering well now, courtesy of Give Directly. Also, because I could not work to raise money, my household ran out of food for two days such that I had to borrow maize flour from neighbors to prepare meals. This is why I used the remaining funds to buy food, which was only enough to serve the family for four days.
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
At this old age, my main needs are food and money for medical emergencies. My plan is therefore to spend this money on food and goat farming. Goats will be of help when I sell so as to settle medical emergencies and other pressing needs that may arise. I will be budgeting 2,500 KES for a goat and 500 KES for food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My goat gave birth last month. This is the reason that I am happy. I value goats so much because they multiply fast and help me whenever I need money for food and emergencies such as medication.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since my husband passed on in 2020, life has been very tough. This is because we used to support each other in everything. My house collapsed a few months after he passed on and I have been seeking shelter in my son's house. I have not had the financial ability to build another one since then. I also struggle getting food because I am less productive given my old age. The kind of jobs I do, such as charcoal work are very physical hence tiresome. It is therefore hard to get enough income for my needs.