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 goal is to increase the number of chickens that I am rearing. I want to do so because I have seen their benefit. I had bought a few chickens with the first transfer and they have been helping me in getting money for buying food and other household necessities such as sugar, soap, etc. Increasing the number of chickens will enable me to get more income that I can use in farming or invest in my taxi business.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by helping everyone in the community, they were not biased. They hence enabled people to change their lives for the better. GiveDirectly has created an impact since their work can be seen through the developments that people have made. There are however some people who were left out and I do not why yet they usually live in the village. I feel like they should have been considered too since they are also in need.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the second transfer on making some repairs on the car that I usually use in my taxi business. I repainted it and bought some spares for it at a total cost of KES 35000. I decided to do so so that it can function well and attract more customers. Apart from doing so, I also took out KES 10000 that I used in paying school fees for my children. I was hence able to clear the school term school fees and I do not owe them anything. With the remaining amount, I used part of it in buying fuel for the car. I was in Embu county at the time the transfer was sent. I had gone to visit my wife who works there. The transfer hence helped me in fueling the car as I was coming back home. The rest of it I used in buying food for my children. I am so much grateful to GiveDirectly because with having repaired the car, it now looks good as new and I have been able to make more money since it has attracted more customers. I usually depend on the taxi business to make money for paying my children's school fees and buy food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($493 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home relaxing when I heard a message notification come in at 10 a.m. I checked my phone and realised that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. I was very happy seeing as I was in need of financial assistance.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving this transfer has been a Godsend. Before this, I did not have money to pay for school fees for three of my children who are still in school. I work as a taxi driver, but my car had broken down and I could not afford to get it fixed. This caused me a lot of frustration, especially because I have always wanted to give my children a good education. So you can imagine how delighted I was to receive this transfer. I have been able to pay for my children's school fees and fix my car. Thanks, GD!
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
One of my greatest wishes as a father is that my children get a good education so they can build good quality lives for themselves. So I spent KES 20,000 on paying school fees for three of my children. I work as a taxi driver to earn a living and my car had broken down. So I spent the remaining amount to get it fixed so that I can keep my business going.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a car I usually use for transport as a way of earning income but it stalled for a month now because it broke down. Receiving this money means I will be able to relieve my transport business. It will cost me approximately KES 30,000. For the rest of the money, I improve my poultry farm. I had built the poultry house but I have not bought the chicks. I will use KES 10,000 to buy the chicks and other needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. Mornings bring me hope, it is a new beginning, another chance to try again. My day starts at 6, I prepare breakfast and just wait if I can get customers in the day. Before doing starting my day's work, I talk to my family first, hearing from them each morning is a blessing. Waking up healthy in the morning makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been when I was interdicted from work one and a half years ago. The case is in court, and since then I was forced to come home. Hiring a lawyer has been the biggest challenge. I have depleted the resources I had to pay up yet it is not yet over, there is still no verdict. The case is also being administered far away, so I use a lot of money back and forth attending court sessions. It is torturing and draining me emotionally since I do not know who the case will end. I hope I won't end up in jail.
