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 ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goal is to purchase a modern bed since we are using old traditional beds which is uncomfortable and require constant maintenance. With the second transfer, I was able to purchase a new mattress with part of the transfer and construct a decent shelter for the family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well for targeting the poor household and giving out cash transfers directly to our mobile phones. In addition, everyone has the right to choose how to spend the transfer to better their life. In my opinion, I feel that everything went well and I have nothing that I feel was not done well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25,000 my second transfer to complete the construction of a decent shelter for my family which I had started with my first. The one I had earlier was very old and about to collapse something very risky to our lives. I also bought 2 more goats for KES 5,000 to boost my livestock rearing to make it more sustainable. In addition, I acquired proper beddings for myself since I was using sacks that were uncomfortable. Similarly, I was ashamed whenever I received visitors because of the state of my beddings. With the remaining amount, I cleared the fee arrears of KES 13,250 that my 6 children had at school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember vividly it was around 8 AM when I was having a good time with my family after we had just finished having breakfast. Then I heard my phone ringing so loudly and I was a bit curious because I wasn't expecting to hear from any of my relatives or my friends. Since I am illiterate I asked my son to check to confirm who might have sent the message. I was overwhelmed with joy after learning that I had received my first transfer. I knew that I would soon build a decent house that I have been yearning to have.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a spacious semi permanent house. My previous house was in poor condition and I was always uncomfortable because during the winter seasons we had to seek shelter from neighbors and friends. I couldn't afford to buy a few materials for the renovation because I solely depend on buying and selling charcoal. This business wasn't lucrative and on a good day, I could only earn KES 150, being a widower and family breadwinner of six this could not even sustain our basic needs. At some point, it reached a point whereby our neighbors stated started complaining and stopped welcoming us like they used to. We, therefore, had to squeeze ourselves into the small house which was so hectic. The coming of GiveDirectly into my village become our turning point as a community because we were all sailing in the same boat. As a family, we are so thankful to GD because we no longer have to worry about the rains and even the wild animals mostly at night.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 7200 of my first transfer on paying school fees for children who are in primary and secondary schools respectively. They have been on and off due to the huge school fees arrears. Also, I bought two goats at KES 5000 which I am currently keeping in my compound. I had been aspiring to at least own one but I couldn't afford it because of the financial hardships that I was expensing. In addition, I bought some building materials such as iron sheets KES 12000, building poles KES 3000, and the labor cost of 6000. I had intended to construct a one whose because the initial one was almost collapsing and very small. With the remaining amount of my, I purchased rough foods for my family that has been sustaining us for a while.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means decent housing, livestock production and good education for my children. For the past two years, my fellow wife and I have been living in this house that is in a very bad condition. It is a house that can fall at anytime Incase of very strong winds.This makes us feel insecure to spend our nights in this house. I am planning to use a total of 30,000 KES to construct a house that will be strong and firm. A house that will accomodate us comfortably. I also have a total of 5 children who are school going. One is in secondary school and the other four in primary school. Paying school fees has been a very huge challenge for me. As at now, I have 26,000 KES fee arrears yet to clear. I will also use the money to clear all the school fee balances of my children. I also have a desire in livestock production. I intend to buy 5 goats at a total cost of 15,000 KES. Goats are a very good source of income, in that, you can sell some of them once they increase in number. For the money that will be remaining, I will use it to buy food for our household.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. Waking up healthy together with my family makes me very happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I ever faced in life is lack of enough money. I work as a charcoal burner. Charcoal burning does not bring me much income. I approximately get 3,000 KES per month. With a family of 5 children and a fellow wife who also depends on me. This income is not sufficient for us. All of it goes in to buying food. It is for this reason that I have not been able to construct a house and even pay school fees for my children.
