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
53010 KES ($332 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I've been thinking a lot about my plans, and I hope to accomplish a couple of things in the coming years. First and foremost, I'd love to start my shop, specializing in the sale of maize flour and Dissel. This venture holds the promise of providing a steady income for me. With that income, I aspire to not only cater to my basic needs but also to contribute to the overall financial stability of our household. Currently, I heavily rely on my husband's income and his diligent savings efforts. However, having my source of income would give me a sense of independence and security. The modest income I currently manage to get primarily goes towards covering our food expenses, so having a shop could significantly broaden my financial capabilities and prospects for the future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly excels in providing cash transfers through mpesa, a secure and efficient method of money transfer. I am genuinely pleased that these cash transfers have allowed me to acquire goats and, concurrently, stabilize my charcoal business. Their operational approach is excellent, and I believe there is no need for any changes to be made.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the past few years, I have been facing economic challenges, making it difficult for me to engage in income-generating activities due to my elliptic condition. Consequently, I relied on my husband, who worked as a casual laborer, burning charcoal and earning a modest $40 per week. This income primarily went towards meeting our basic needs, including food. Upon receiving the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest $250 in starting a charcoal business. This involved purchasing charcoal from other producers when I couldn't produce it myself, ensuring that my clients could obtain charcoal whenever needed. Establishing this business is crucial for maintaining a steady income, enabling me to provide for my family. Additionally, I allocated $98 from the remaining amount of the second transfer to purchase three goats. My hope is that, as they multiply in the future, they will serve as a form of financial security for our family.
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Having a piece of land at our nearby secondary school has put my family in a better chance of developing ourselves. The only challenge at the moment is the finances and with the help of GiveDirectly, I am so proud to be part of the beneficiaries. I plan to spend the first transfer ($550) to construct a 4-roomed temporary rental house for the school children. This will guarantee us $20 every month as rent, an income that will support me with my basic needs. On the other hand, I will spend the second transfer ($530) to start a garage business that will be operated by my son who is currently jobless. This will mean constructing the working room and also buying some materials as stock. Hence, achieving this will mean a transformed livelihood for my household.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The love I have from my family is what continuously puts a smile on me. This is because being an epileptic means not being involved much in strenuous activities like charcoal work. For this reason, my children have been supportive and they are always there for me. In the last 6 months, I have consistently been able to get at least one meal a day, especially my dinner. Although this might seem challenging, I am happy to be assured of my meal every evening. Hence, I consider this as what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Water scarcity is what has challenged me the most. This is because, in our area, we have only 1 water pan that serves both the people and the livestock around. This makes the water unsafe for human consumption but because I lack money to buy clean water, my family is forced to drink the same dirty water and it has put us in a dangerous situation. I am currently worried about the announced country-wide outbreak of cholera. Hence, I consider this situation as what has made my life harder.
