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 ($468 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?
I didn't have any new goals that I didn't have before receiving this second transfer, as the main aim and desire was to complete my house that I had started building with the first transfer. This was because I didn't want to abandon it and direct or spend the money on any other thing, which could potentially lead to the house collapsing yet it is the thing that I wanted the most.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly, in my opinion, is doing everything well. It has elevated the lives of so many of us around here. The living standards of so many of us were improved, those who didn't have better houses were able get them, those who had houses were able to put up businesses especially motorcycle taxi which is a sign of progressive development of this area. We are so grateful to GiveDirectly and and I personally don't see anything that it didn't do right or needs to change.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 16650 on completing my house that I had started building with money from the first transfer but hadn't been enough to complete it. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly because this house is all I wanted more than I anything I lacked and it was my main aim and desire because the one we were living in previously was so small such that we would be sleeping with only our upper bodies inside the house while legs are outside which used to make me so sad and unhappy, and was actually risking our health. Therefore, I am so grateful to date that my house is almost ready as it is in its final stages. I am so proud, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($495 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was exactly 9:30 in the morning when I was heading to my daily hustle when my mobile phone started ringing continually. It was alerting me of a new message but I opted to ignore it since I was a bit late. However, after a few minutes, another message popped in. I was anxious and decided to open and read the message. I later realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly they had finally sent my first cash transfer as promised during our first meeting. I was so excited and I had to go back since I couldn't contain my joy. I shared the news with my children and they were all happy as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that through the transfer I am sleeping in a decent shelter. This has been my biggest challenge because I am a single parent with five children and solely depending on casual jobs mostly burning charcoal. I could earn just KES 100 on a good day. This was not enough for me to buy the required building materials for the construction of a house. Therefore after receiving the transfer, I had to prioritize this matter. The previous one was critical and I have been seeking shelter every evening with the fear that it would collapse any time. Life has been so tough for all that time since some people would make fun of me and my children and this frustrated me the most. I had even lost in life and even affected my children at school. They could not bear the situation any longer. Therefore receiving this money means a lot to us because of the huge transformation it has brought us. We have are now happy and thankful because finally we are well secured under a decent shelter without having to worry about the communal isolation and the rains.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of m first transfer on buying building materials such as twenty pieces of iron sheets KES 17600, building poles KES 8000, nails and timber, and the coats at a total of KES 7000. I opted to buy all these to construct a new house because the previous one was in critical condition and it would collapse anytime. My worry was it would damage my properties and I even decided to be seeking shelter at my mother's shelter every evening. with the remaining amount of money, I am using it to buy enough foodstuffs for my family and other household items that I was lacking at the moment.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was married to my lovely husband in the nearby village who we parted ways due to his infidelity issues. I decided to return home in the year 2001. I built my house which was then swept away by a whirlwind. With my five children, I requested my brother who lives in Mombasa to allow me stay in his house as I try to look for ways and means to construct mine. I am a charcoal seller and I also sell aloe vera. However, due to drought, my business has been really negatively affected. This has disabled my ability to build my own house as I am also obliged to look for food for my children, as well pay school fees for my two children who are now in Secondary school. Receiving this money means building myself a dignified and spacious house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. When I wake up, I check on my children to ensure they are all fine. Seeing them healthy makes me happy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced is job security. I am a single mother with five children. My ex-husband is not supportive to anything. I am the only one obliged to fend for my children. Since I am depending on my small businesses of charcoal selling and aloe vera selling, things have now worsened with the drought that has ravaged our village.