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 ($465 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?
After spending both my transfers on all the plans that I had, I am grateful for the changes that the transfer has brought in my household.I currently have a goal of opening a salon bysiness for my wife so that she can have a central place rather than going house to house to plate hair.Am currently doing motorcycle business and saving towards making my wife's dream come through.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, Givedirectly did well by sending officers to enlighten us about the objective of the project and also delivering their promises after enrollment. I do not see what Givedirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving my second transfer brought huge transformation in my household. I had started constructing a modern house with my first transfer but because of other plans, I could not complete the project. Upon receipt of the second transfer, I spent Kshs. 35,000 in finishing up the remaining part of the house.I also spent Kshs.6,000 in paying a debt to someone who I owed for a long period of time.With the remaining part of the transfer, I used in buying clothes and food for my entire household members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes past 10 pm and as I was browsing on Facebook, I saw a message notification indicating that I had received KES 55000 from Segovia Kenya limited. I immediately knew that it was the money we had been waiting for and my heart was filled with joy after confirming that it was indeed true that the money was in my account. With this money, I knew that we would be able to achieve our goals as a family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had never imagined that I would ever build a more permanent house made of timber walls for my family like other people in my region. This is because I am a casual laborer and my spouse operates a salon in our neighboring shopping centers. We had decided to use the money she would make on this business to expand it by buying beauty products that she can sell alongside offering beauty services. I am glad that with the transfer, we were able to start the construction of a more spacious permanent house and we're planning to spend part of our second transfer to complete its construction and to achieve other things. Being able to achieve this has changed my daily life since it has uplifted my social status from that of one who wears clothes that smell of smoke to that of one who will very soon wear clean clothes that smell fresh.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When GiveDirectly came for enrollment, we agreed as a family that we would spend our first transfer to build a more spacious and decent house and when we received it, we spent KES 40000 to achieve this. I bought 24 pieces of iron sheets, some timber, nails, sand, gravel, and paid for the labor. We settled on this since we used to live in a small single-room house and we usually faced challenges when having visitors. My family is still young as we have one child and I am glad that he will have his room when he grows up. We used the remaining KES 7000 on food, clothes, and shoes after spending KES 6000 to repay a loan that I had.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means better housing for my family. I currently live in a 2 roomed iron-roofed house with my family of 3. This is not comfortable for us as we sleep and cook from the same house. Furthermore, my visitors are forced to stay outside the room as the space is insufficient. As a parent, I feel like our privacy is intruded on. I have always wanted to build a bigger house but it's so unfortunate that the finances could not allow us to do so. I depend on my wife who is a hairdresser to support the family. When the job is at peak, we earn a profit of KES 3000 a month. I intend to use KES 30000 to put up a 3 roomed timber walled house therefore my ambition of owning a spacious house will come to pass.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My wife opened up her salon business 3 months ago. Before this, she was moving around the village looking for customers to attend to. I am proud to have a business-oriented wife with a vision. She gave birth to this idea, and I saw it best to support her. This has brought joy to my life for I have seen her move her career forward after studying. This has also brought food to the table and I have felt supported.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The thought of working for long hours to earn income pains me. My family depends on my wife's hairdressing business to bring up my family of 3. From this, we earn KES 3000 a month when the business is at its peak. This money goes towards my daughter's school fees which amount to KES 3500 a term. The rest I use to purchase food for the family. The funds are in most cases not sufficient to purchase food to sustain the family for days and therefore I have to sleep hungry as I sacrifice for the child.
