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 ($518 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?
I was able to build two new semi-permanent houses which would not have been possible had I not received the transfers. I had always wanted to build a new house year in year out to replace the old one that I lived in before, but whenever I set aside some money for the project, something else came up. My previous house was so old and shattered that it looked like a pig's den and I am glad that I was able to construct a better one. Having a more decent house has restored my dignity as an elder in my community and I am more excited that at my old age, I don't have to continue living in such a horrible environment as I did before. I am so grateful to GiveDirecly for transforming my life and putting a smile on my face.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I loved the fact that the aid came in the form of cash because this gave me the opportunity to decide on what to do with the money depending on my needs. I also feel that everything was transparently done, therefore, I have no negative feedback on the operations.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
After spending the first transfer on building the main house, I spent the second transfer received to build a semi-permanent kitchen. The project is currently ongoing and some of the money that I still have will go into more materials and payment of labor for the construction workers. I also spent some of it on food for my family and other household needs. Once this project is done, depending on what remains of the money, I would wish to buy one additional cow. This would come in handy in the future as financial security in case of an emergency where funds are needed.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have built a better and spacious house for my family. I used to live in a small grass-thatched house that could not host all my family members comfortably. I do not have a source of income and I depend on small scale farming to get all my needs. Due to this constraint was not in a position to save some money to build a better house. I was shy to welcome visitors to my house because I had no place to host them. Whenever we had some family gathering we could do such a meeting in the field because of no space. and this was so embarrassing during the rainy seasons. Currently, I have a very nice and spacious house that can host all my family comfortably. I do not fear to welcome visitors to my hose because I have room to host them. I am so much grateful because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard to be better than before.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy because I have never received such money before in my entire life. It was very early in the morning when I heard a message notification on my phone. I reached to my daughter and asked her to check it. I felt so happy when she told me that GiveDiectly has sent me 55000KES. I immediately planned to build a better house because this was what had been bothering me for a long time.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to built a better and spacious house for my family. This is because we used to live in a small grass-thatched house before which could not host all my family comfortably. The rest of the money I used it to buy food and pay workers who were doing the construction work.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have one house with two rooms serving as the kitchen , living room and bedroom.Whenever I have visitors I am usually not comfortable hosting them.The mud house is old and in a bad condition.During the rainy season the roof leaks making it so uncomfortable.For that reason I have a plan of building another house when I receive the money from Give Directly.I will build a house with two rooms and walls made of timber.I am growing older and maintaining a mud house is beginning to become a problem to me. With the money,I will aso buy one heifer worth ksh 20,000(200 USD).Within a short time I know that I will be milking. This will serve as a source of income as well as milk for consumption.Currently I buy milk(1 litre) which is quite expensive for me.Sometimes I do not have money to buy the milk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I work in my farm for just 2hrs;that is between 8:00 am to 10:00am.I don't like working in the scorching sun.I enjoy those morning hours working in my farm because my output is high.I spend most of the afternoon relaxing under a shade in my compound.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Initially I depended on casual labour to supplement what I get from my farm but due to my age this is no longer possible.I am not strong enough to do casual jobs and also to work in my farm.This has limited my income which in turn has made me struggle in getting basic needs like food.
