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 ($435 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My long term goal is to build residential houses for rent. On the short term, I am looking to expand my business, that is going to increase our income as a household and improving our quality of life
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly could increase both the frequency and the number of recipients. Short of that, there's little else to critique on GiveDirectlys work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The days I received my transfers were by far my happiest. These funds from GiveDirectly allowed me to construct a 2 bedroom house for me and my family. Further more, I bought 2 male cows and 7 goats, as a source of potential income when they breed. I have a wife and 4 kids, my eldest is in Grade 3, second in Grade 1, third born is 3.5 years and my last is 1.5 years old. The two eldest who are in Migunjini Primary were paid for their school fees of KES. 3,000 per term, from the same funds sent by GiveDirectly. My primary source of income is selling charcoal at Mombasa town market, making a profit of KES. 1,000 , after selling each sack at KES. 1,200. With return such as those, it would have been difficult to achieve all we did without the GiveDirectly funds. We are truly thankful as a household.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the evening when I was about to go to sleep when I received a message in my phone. Usually I do not read messages there and then but I do not know what triggered me to check what the message was all about. My eyes stuck on the phone screen after seeing a huge figure. My heart was filled with joy and I ululated in happiness after seeing the transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, my living situation was bad, I was living in an unpleasing state but I thank God for bringing this organization to me as a person. I didn’t have a house at all, the way and where I used to sleep I do no want to remember, it was pathetic but I am now happy that I have a house and I am doing fine and it is because of GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The main thing that I was focusing was to build a house since I had no house at all, but before starting the construction plans, I bought 4 goats and 2 chicken for KES 15500.00. I did this so that I remain with an additional thing that I can say it is due to GiveDirectly. Thereafter, I used the rest of the money in building a house. I can’t figure out the exact amount I used in purchasing the construction materials but what I know is that I didn’t have a house but through the transfer from GiveDirectly I got a house and I am grateful for that.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a decent house for my family. I am a widow staying in a house that is not in good condition. I am planning to spend KES 40000 to build a two bedroom house. I will also use part of the transfer to buy five indigenous goats which do well in our area so as to create an asset that I will use in the future. The remaining amount will help me to cater to other basic needs such as food and water as well as savings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Last month I received a food donation from our member of the county Assembly. I got 5kgs of Rice and 5 kgs of beans which lasted me for four days. This brought me joy and happiness because it had been a long time since I tasted Rice. It was also a relief because I did not have the stress of buying or borrowing food from relatives.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is food insecurity. It has been four years since we received adequate rains in our area. Due to the prolonged drought, I have to rely on charcoal production and selling firewood as the main source of income. The job is energy-draining and pays very little. In a month I earn KES 1200 when the sales are good and KES 750 on a bad one. Due to this, It is difficult to save enough money to construct a decent house. All the proceeds go into buying food only. Sometimes when I host visitors, I am forced to ask for their accommodation from neighbors which is shameful.
