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 ($464 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?
No news goals so far but I am grateful for the ones that I accomplished through financial support. The fact that I now have the goats in my compound has eased the burden of paying fees for my kids. This is because whenever I will be required to pay their fees, I will be selling one or two of the offspring and cater for the arrears.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is a unique organization and it cares about its beneficiaries. Since the very first day the officers came into our villages it has been good all along. Every needy household was enrolled freely without discrimination. I, therefore, do not see any sector in which the organization failed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on clearing school fees of KES 2000 for my son who is in a boarding school. He was about to sit for his exams and I was worried that he would miss it since it has been a routine because of the arrears. To add to that, I started a new business of selling fish in the village which is now my reliable source of income that I can depend on. I have been making a profit of KES 200 in a day which has empowered me to cater to my family's needs with ease. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family that lasted for a month.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 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 about 9 o'clock when I received the Mpesa message indicating that I had received the transfer. I remember I was outside my house relaxing while preparing before living for the daily household work. My helper was around and I requested her to verify the message on the phone. I was very happy when I was told that I had received my transfer. I thanked GiveDirectly and celebrated it for fulfilling its promises to us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having a reliable source of income after starting livestock rearing with the aid is the biggest difference in my life. I will no longer engage in strenuous activities like charcoal burning to support my family's needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had desired to start livestock rearing a reliable source of income for my family to replace the charcoal burning which is a laborious casual activity. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 18,000 to purchase 6 goats. In addition, I used KES 13,000 to purchase a bed and a mattress. Previously, I was using sacks and a traditional bed that was not comfortable to sleep on. I also used KES 5,000 to repair my roof by purchasing 3 iron sheets and paid the labor cost. Furthermore, I spent KES 39… to clear the fees arrears for my child who is in primary school. The remaining portion of the money assisted me to purchase food and water for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent life and good education for my last born. For the past 5 years, I have been sleeping on a bed without a mattress. This has made me experience body aches every morning I wake up. I am planning to use KES 10,000 to purchase a new bed and a mattress. I am sure the problem of having body aches every morning will be gone. I also struggle to cater for my family's needs. I stay with my son who is the last born. He is in primary school ( class 6). My main occupation is charcoal burning. I get approximately KES 5,000 per month. This amount is not enough to sort out all of our needs which includes the School fees for my son. I am planning to use KES 20,000 to buy 5 goats. For me, the goats will be my source of income in the coming years. I will start selling goat milk and even the goats when they multiply. I am a 46 year old widow who is no longer strong enough for the charcoal burning business,I will save the rest of the money and use it sparingly for my family's needs and that of my son's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. I get time to rest in the evening after a very long day cutting down trees for charcoal burning.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced is lack of enough money to cater for my family's needs. For more than the last 10 years, I have worked as a charcoal burner. This business brings me approximately KES 5,000 per month. This amount is never enough to cater for all the needs of my family. I have not been able to buy a decent bed and a mattress due this. All the money goes into buying food and my son's school fees.
