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 ($527 USD)
access_time 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 my transfer because I have been able to build a spacious house for my children. Previously, we were living in a small house that could not accommodate us comfortably. Also, I now live near my shop and I no longer fear about security. I always open it early in the morning until late in the evening as I also do not have to walk on the road at night.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by helping everyone in the village without having any discrimination and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When we received our second transfer, I spent a good amount to build a spacious house and a kitchen for my family in a plot that I had bought. I settled on this since I wanted to live near my shop for security purposes. Also, I bought some sheep as a way of investing this money. When they reproduce, I will be selling the offsprings and use the money to pay school fees for my children. I spent the remaining amount to buy three seats and a table since I did not have them.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Building a house for my family has always been my priority for so long but I had not been able to achieve this due to lack of money. It is a taboo in our community for parents to sleep with their grown-up children in one room. Besides my children sleeping in a different house from ours, I can now comfortably welcome visitors to my home any day because they will have a place to sleep comfortably. Being able to build a house for my family is the biggest achievement in my daily life which I am proud of.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at around 4 a.m. when I received a call from my neighbor. At first, I was hesitant to pick the call but I finally picked it thinking that it was an emergency. It was then that he informed me that GiveDirectly had sent us the promised money. Upon checking my M-pesa balance after disconnecting the call, happiness filled my heart. I waited till dawn so that I would share the good news with my spouse and plan on how we would spend the money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfers, I spent part of it to buy two calves. Buying a dairy cow is expensive and that is why I settled on buying two calves. I will later sell them after rearing for some time and use the money to buy a dairy cow. Also, I bought some building materials to use in building a spacious house for my family and paid a mason for this work. We currently live in a one-room house which acts as our kitchen, living room and also the bedroom to all my family. Building a house for my family will allow my children to have their privacy since they will be sleeping in our current house. I also bought one sack of maize flour using the remaining amount. As a result of this, I have been able to reduce my daily expenditure.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I heard that Givedirectly will be coming to our village,I was elated.I felt that my dream of building a house and owning a dairy cow will finally be fulfilled.I have young children who still need milk with their meals and having to always buy from neighbours is very expensive- especially because I do not have a steady income.I also live with my family in a very small house and I would wish to build another one so that this current one serves as our kitchen.Receiving this money means that I will be able to actualize the above two which I see as my priority at the moment
What is the happiest part of your day?
I set out early to work on my farm and on other days on my neighbours' farms.All this while my thoughts are on whether I will be able to provide food for my family for this day.As a father,I cannot fail and therefore I have to work very hard so that at the end of the day I will have something to bring home.In the evening when I finally return home with some foodstuff,my children run to embrace me anticipating what I have brought them.Seeing them happy and provided for makes me very happy.This is the happiest part of my day
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
When I got married in the year 2010,I was given a small piece of land by my parents to farm on.Here,we mostly plant maize(which is our staple food) and beans.Since then,I have not had a maize harvest.This is partly because of expensive hybrid seeds which has forced me to go for indigenous ones whose yield is poor,as well as crop diseases.I have therefore been forced to buy maize to feed my family all those years.I have a small retail shop and it has never grown because all the profits go to buying food.This is the biggest hardship I have faced
