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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 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 than how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I am now a happier man. This is because I was able to take my spouse to the hospital at the right time when she was sick. Due to this, she was able to get the required medication and she is now feeling well. Also, I have been able to start buying some building materials that I am intending to use in building a spacious and permanent house for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by enrolling everyone in our village and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
My wife was not feeling well when I received mg second transfer. Due to this, I spent some amount to pay for her medication since her health is my priority. Also, I spent some amount to buy food that would last us for some time. I still have KES 20000 that I am planning to use to start building a more permanent house for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
At the moment, I believe that my daily life is soon going to change. This is because I have been able to purchase some of the building materials and I am planning to use my next transfer to start the work of building a permanent house for my family. Also, I am planning to start a poultry keeping project where I will be keeping majorly improved Kienyeji chicken after starting a business of buying and selling milk. I will be using the income from this project to cater for my family needs. Being able to diversify my sources of income will enable me to always meet our daily needs on time.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was still early in the morning and I was still sleeping when I heard a message notification on my phone and I decided to check it since I was awake. Upon reading its contents, my heart was filled with joy especially when I saw the amount that I had received. I knew that my plan of building a permanent house for my family would soon be realized.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I operate a motorcycle business at our nearest town and this has always been my source of income. Due to this, when I received my first transfers, I spent some amount on its Maintainance. I settled on this since it had been long before I did so. Also, I bought some materials majorly bricks and steel to use in building a decent house for my family. I am planning to use my next transfer to start building a permanent house for my family. I still have KES 21000 in my Mpesa account that I am planning to use in starting a poultry keeping project and business of buying and selling milk.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For a long time I have envied milk trading business in my community and I have always aspired to venture into this lucrative business. Since I already own a motorcycle, delivering the products to the market would be cheaper. This is an investment I aspire to dedicate my time and first transfer to. With the remaining amount, about KES 25,000, I have a plan to set up a poultry farm and rear a hundred chicken in it. Both of these businesses will enable me build a house of my choice in the near future. Education of my children would definitely be secure too.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I run a small tomato farm in my compound. Every morning I pack them into my motorcycle and supply them to a friend who runs a small restaurant in Siongiroi market, about six kilometers from home. I would then go into taxi business for the remaining part of the day. In the evening, I would head back to my friend's restaurant to collect my dues and catch up with friends. Soon, laughter would rend the air to usher in a revitalizing closure of a busy day. This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
A few weeks ago, my wife was diagnosed with amoeba infection. We have since made a series of trips to hospital but she hasn't recuperated yet. All my motorcycle taxi savings have been spend on her medication including transport to and from hospital. My worry is that if the condition persists, we are going to spend a chunk of our first transfer for her treatment. This is consequently going to jeopardize our plans to invest the money in poultry and milk selling businesses. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
