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 ($438 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After utilizing the second transfer, I developed a goal of goats raring. This goal was a result of seeing the good progress of the goats which I had bought. Based on that, I will buy more goats for investment purposes once I get some money.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is a life-uplifting organization. I am saying so from a testimony perspective. Through this organization, I managed to change the face of my life by renovating my house which was in a pathetic state. It also enabled me to have some livestock at home and this triggered me to develop a goal of livestock farming.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon getting the second transfer, I decided to renovate the roof of my house since the iron sheets were old, rusty and leaking during the rain season. Therefore, I bought 16 pieces of iron sheets for $152. As I speak I am in the house and very happy about getting a new roof. This has seen my life changing for better. I also bought three goats for $110. I chose goats over cows because they are cheap to rare and can withstand the harsh climatic condition of our area. Thereafter, I opted to use the remaining amount for the family's upkeep because we had no food since we did not harvest any crops due to the scarcity of rainfall.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($463 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 around 7 pm while on my way home from a shop when I received a message on my phone. I took the phone from my trouser pocket and checked to see what kind of a message it was since it rang twice. Upon checking, I did not believe my eyes. It was a huge amount of money; KES 55000.00 that had been sent into my account by GiveDirectly. I felt like ululating because of how happy I was but I contained myself. I did not want people to know hence rejoiced and ululated inwardly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Initially, I was always up and down to ensure I get the loan amount then fight for my family's food. This was a marathon job which was stressful. At some point I would decide to go into arrears but to take whatever I got for that day to my family so that they do not sleep hungry. This made me overwork myself to make ends meet. By so doing I had limited time with my family. Leaving very early in the morning before they wake up and coming back late when some were asleep. Currently I am relieved after receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly. Through the transfer, I was able to offset the loan and I am now working in a good environment which is stress-free. If it were not for GiveDirectly I would not have managed to clear the loan and I would be no where near clearing it. This means the struggle would be ongoing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, I first decided to offset a loan of KES 20000.00 that I borrowed to purchase a motorbike. Offsetting the loan meant I would be saving all the money that I get from the daily work I do with the motorbike. Initially, I had to pay KES 200.00 every day to the microfinance for the motorbike. The daily payments were difficult since some days I could not manage to get my family's daily food as well as pay the loan due to my low income. I also bought 10 pieces of iron sheets for KES 9500.00 to add a room to my single-room house to accommodate my family well. This is because the house was congested. Thereafter, I bought a bed and a mattress for KES 5400.00 and KES 6400.00 respectively. This was a long-time desire since I had been sleeping on the floor for a while. Sleeping on the floor is a tiring thing but if you have no alternative that will be the only way to go. To make a mark on GiveDirectly in my life, I bought a she-goat for KES 2700.00. I preferred the goat over a cow because goats have a faster birth rate and soon I will be having several goats at my home.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I stay in a single-roomed house with my two children. My firstborn always sleeps with her grandmother every day because he cannot sleep in our single room. Receiving this money, I will build an extra room so that I can sleep with my family together. I will also renovate my roof with new iron sheets. I have never used a mattress in my entire life, I will buy a new bed and a mattress for my family to have solace. With the remaining amount, I will buy three goats to rear as an investment. I am happy to be enrolled today.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My wife has always been at home without any job to do. I thank God in March I opened her a grocery kiosk where she could sell vegetables to keep her busy. Seeing her attending to customers brings me joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Not having enough money has always been a challenge to me, which made me take a motorbike on credit. I have been paying 2300 KES from my profit of 3000 KES every week for the past one and a half years. This is bothersome to me, how I wish I just finished paying the loan so that any profit I get can be used by my family. I hope for a better tomorrow.