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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 it would have been if I did not receive my transfer in that, I am a happy man after fulfill my desires. First, I was able to boost my shop business with a huge part of my first transfer. I invested $450 in the business and is now stable. Second, I paid $100 to clear first terms fees for my child who is in secondary school. I also own a pair of oxen which will improve my subsistence farming.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done so well for coming up with this unconstitutional cash transfer program in our village. This program has helped many poor households in various ways . Personally it has enabled me to own a pair of oxen.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer to purchase oxen and ox-plough. This is because mostly depend on subsistence farming as my source of livelihood. The oxen will assist me in the preparation of my firm in time before planting crops. Previously, I used to hire it from neighbour which is costly and it takes a lot of time to get due to it's high demand on rainy season. I using the remaining amount to construct a new shelter for my family since the one I have is old and has rusty roof.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 2 PM when we were from taking lunch with my family then my phone started ringing. I decided to check what it might be. Only to realize it was an Mpesa message from GD I felt so happy. I dearly thank them for choosing our household as one of the beneficiaries
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 managed to boost my kiosk. The shop has been my major source I income and it was the only business that I was depending on. There is a time whereby I consumed all profits so that I cater to the basic household items. It was not easy for me to restock shop at that particular time. I am so thankful to Give Directly for financial support. I had reach rock bottom and I never thought that the organization was sincere in the first place. Currently, my business is picking so well with good returns. I am glad because I am able to pay school fees for my children unlike before whereby I used to strain.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on paying school fees for my son who is in boarding school. Also, I boosted my kiosk business which was almost collapsing. I had utilized mist of the capital and I had no means on how I can revive it. I had thought of taking a loan from the formal financial institutions but I didn't have collateral for the bank loan. Also, I bought some livestock which includes some goats which will serve as the living assets that I can lean on. I am using the remaing amount of money I buying sufficient foodstuffs for my family
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have had a desire to own a piece of land in the nearby town (Jila center) to construct a business room where my husband can do his shop business, but this dream has never come to reality. When I heard about the arrival of GiveDirectly, my hopes got renewed and I am now happy to know that soon I will have the opportunity to buy the land. My option is to spend my first transfer ($500) to purchase the land. Having acquired the land, my second transfer will aid in the construction of the structure which I am also sure of costing me $500. This will assure us of a stable source of income since we will no longer pay rents and hence a transformed life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Waking up in the morning when healthy is something that gives me a feeling of happiness since I get another chance to thank God. It is also in the morning when I am so energized and have the opportunity to do my household chores, and this makes me feel to have fulfilled my responsibilities as a mother and a wife.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife and I depend mostly on my husband's shop business which he performs in a rental room. His monthly income has been inconsistent and we mostly struggle to meet other very basic needs like school fees, and this is because renting is costly and we usually save very little. Therefore, I consider an unstable source of income as the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
