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 ($526 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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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 in that, I have been able to clear the school fees arrears for my children. Due to this, they have never been sent back home since the beginning of the year as I have had enough time to look for this terms school fees. This has enabled them to concentrate on their studies and I believe that their performance will improve.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a good job in uplifting our lives by giving us aid in terms of money and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent a good amount to expand my business by restocking it. I decided on this so that my profits will increase due to increase in sales. Also, I spent some amount to clear school fees arrears for my children. Due to this, I had enough time to look for the arrears and they were able to continue with their studies without being sent back home. On the remaining amount, I bought food to last my family for some time.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life is that I have paid school fees for my two children in secondary school. I do run a small business of timber store and the amount of money that I get from this is so small and cannot gather for all the basic needs for the family including paying school fees for my children. My children used to be sent home to collect school fees day in day out. They could stay home because I had no money to pay for them immediately and this was affecting their performance in school. Currently, I have cleared all the arrres and my children are no longer sent home like before. Their performance has improved compared to previous months. I no longer get stressed up because I have paid for all their school fees. I have peace of mind to work in my small business to generate more income for other basic needs. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy because I have never received such the amount before. I remember it was very early in the morning around 6 AM when I heard a message from my phone. When I checked it was confirmation that I have received 55000 KES from GiveDirectly. I immediately inform my spouse and children and they were all happy. We budgeted with my spouse on how to spend that very morning.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on school fees for my two children in secondary school and I am so happy because they are no longer sent home to collect the school fees like the previous terms. I also bought a heifer, food for the family and the rest of the money I added stock to my business of timber store.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
School fees has been a big burden for me.Receiving this money will therefore be a big relief for me since I will clear secondary school fees arrears for my two children.The arrears add up to Ksh 12,000.I have also not paid this terms fees.This money will help me clear.When my children will be in school my mind will be at peace to enable me continue with a little business.The remaining money will play a big part in boosting my timber business.I buy trees which I get timber from them then sell to those constructing houses or making furniture.The profit I get from this business will help me pay school fees in the coming years.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I feel happy in the morning when I wake up feeling strong and ready for the day's activities.Sometimes I feel weak due to a heart condition that I have and whenever this happens,my working ability is limited.The work I do requires a lot of energy.This includes feeding cattle and lifting and packing timber since I also do timber business.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In the year 2000 is suffered from a heart disease that weakened my body and drained all my finances.I did not know what exactly was the disease.Infact sometimes I visited the hospital and all I was told is that I was fine while I was not.I visited several hospitals but I did not get the right treatment.I spend over Ksh100,000 to cater for the medication.My cattle business which I was doing at that time collapsed due to lack of finances.I resorted to herbal medicine which was cheaper but at the end of it I saw some improvement.My health was not good for close to 10 years.Those 10 years were the most challenging and hardest in my life because I was not efffective in my work and I really strained financially.I feel a bit better right now.
