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 ($523 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 was in that nowadays, I fit in society. I own most of the things that people have such as a decent house. Besides that, I do not have a lot of stress unlike before. Reaching my desired goals especially having a decent house was a big headache for me. Having it today means a lot to me. I am also sure that my daughter will join a high school in January next year.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has uplifted the living standard of many people in our village using the unconditional cash transfer. The teachings that we were also given at the Barasa and in our houses was helpful since we were able to know how best to secure our money.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on purchasing an ox. This was a plan that I had which would help me to pay school fees for my daughter whenever I might be stranded. I want to keep it for some time so that it can gain weight for a better price-sales. In addition to that, I kept some of it as savings hoping to pay school fees for my her since she will be joining high school next year. January is always a tough month for my work as a mason and this is why I chose to save earlier. The remaining amount was spent on food and clothes.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($533 USD)
access_time 5 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 been able to build a decent and spacious house for my family. This would not have been possible had it not have been for the financial aid from GiveDirectly because the little wages I earn from the work I do is only enough to feed my family. I am now glad since my plans have been achieved and my family will no longer be using our previous kitchen.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning when I decided to go through my phone. I then realized that I had some unread messages and decided to read them and know its contents. My heart was filled with happiness after realizing that GiveDirectly had honored their promised by sending us our first transfer. I knew that my life dreams would finally be achieved using this money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I bought some building materials majorly timber, iron sheets, nails and also paid a mason for the work of constructing a spacious house for my family. I settled on this since the kitchen we previously had was old and its walls had started cracking. I felt that it was no longer safe for my family to continue using it. I will use our current house that serves as our sitting and bedroom as our kitchen and bedroom for my children. I used the remaining amount to buy some decent clothes and foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
An addition $6 per day in my daily income, reduced worry level when i don't secure a masonry job each day and and a new Friesian cow costing 40$ is what receiving this money means to me. My family solely depends on my casual job which is hard to secure on a daily basis because of the remoteness of my place and so we struggle to make ends meet most of the days.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Imagine 8 hours spent under scorching sunshine while lifting heavy objects; This is what i do when i am lucky to secure a casual masonry job! Sitting with my family later in the evening after all this makes it the most fulfilling moment of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food security access has been the biggest hardship that my family has struggled with for the last 8 years. This has hugely been contributed by the ever unpredictable rainfall patterns in the area and increasing schooling cost of my 4 children. Because of this, my casual job can hardly sustain the needs with food as suffering the most.
