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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have new goals now because I managed to buy four cows using the transfers so this means I will be looking forward to running a milk business as a new source of income for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
One of the most unique things about Give Directly that they are doing great with, is transparency.
Give Directly have been clear about the project and their intentions with the community since the beginning and that has helped us trust them alot.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I added one more cow to the three that I bought with the first transfer, using about ksh 20000 and used ksh 30000 to help my sister in college to clear her school fees arrears.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($490 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I still clearly remember that morning. I was at the market when at 9.53 a.m, I received a message notification. I checked my phone and saw that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed as I had never received such a huge amount of money in my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am so happy that this transfer has positively changed my family's life. Before receiving this donation, my wife, child and I lived in a small one-bedroom house. It also served as a kitchen, which made us feel embarrassed whenever we would have visitors. I wished that I could change this so we could have a bit of privacy, but I only earn KES 500 a day, from ferrying passengers on my motorbike. The money was not enough for that. With this transfer, however, I have built a new, two-bedroom house, that has a separate kitchen. My family has a decent place to stay in and I am no longer embarrassed to host visitors. Thanks, GD!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a young family of three, and as a man, I desire to ensure that I provide for all their basic needs, including decent shelter. This, sometimes, seems impossible because of financial instability. It made me sad that we lived in a small, one-bedroom house that also served as a kitchen. So I spent KES 34,000 on labour costs and construction material for our new, two-bedroom home to ensure my family's comfort. I also spent KES 17,000 on acquiring a heifer, that will hopefully provide us with milk soon. Finally, I spent KES 3,000 on food including maize and beans, so that we could have enough for the household.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have one small house. My family is growing I have one child and I feel inappropriate to still be living under the same roof. When I get this money I would like to build another house. This house will cost around KES 22000. My wife is also a student at the nearby technical. I do motorcycle taxi. My income fluctuates with seasons. Mostly I earn KES 300 per day which is not enough to cover my family's needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a man joy comes when you are blessed with a child. My happiness began on August 16 when my son was born. This has been my daily motivation even in my daily hustles. It gave me a meaning to my life .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I am currently facing is poor income. With the current fuel increase, a customer will not agree with the increased transportation fee. So they only pay the previous amount thus I do not make much. Recently I mostly less than KES 7000 a month which is too little to meet the needs of my family
