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 ($512 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
School fees have been my major burden in my life. I have always depended on a small income from a small foodstuff business which has not been doing quite well. This is because it has been my main source of income and the whole family needs rely on it. I have always failed to pay fees arrears and in most cases, my children are always being sent home for the same. When I received the transfers and cleared their balance, I felt proud as a mother because I know I have fulfilled that part well and it's because of the transfers I received from GD>
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GD did well in elevating poverty in the village. It was the best way of doing so by giving out cash. It helped everyone realize their burdens and solved the issue with much ease. Everybody appreciated because no one was left behind. I am glad I am one of the people who got the transfers. I feel all is well and there is nothing GD is not doing well. They should just continue with the good work.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I used my second transfer on paying school fees for my son in secondary school and my other two children in primary school. They had been sent home for the balances because I had not paid for three months. I was feeling guilty and the teachers could not listen to me anymore. All they wanted was the fees or my children to stay at home. I am glad now they are studying in peace and have never been sent home again since the third term began. I also used part of my first transfer to buy a tailoring machine for my daughter. She did a tailoring course a year ago and have never been actively involved in that area. I used the transfers to empower her in the business by helping her kickstart her business. I hope she gets the business stable soon so that she can have a regular income. I used the rest of the transfer to buy foodstuff for my family. I would not have been happy if I paid the arrears and started a business for my daughter yet we had nothing to eat in the house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am at peace now having cleared my children's school fees. I could not raise the whole amount to clear the outstanding school fees, and this made them stay home for some weeks. My greatest happiness is that when I received this transfer, I was able to pay for their school fees and continue with learning without any further interruptions concerning school fees.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was woken up by a message notification, early in the morning and on checking to confirm it's content, the message was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my transfers as promised. I could not believe it, I was filled with joy because my son would soon be back to class at last and continue with his studies comfortably.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My children who are in secondary school had been sent home because I was unable to clear their fees on time. Because of this, when I received the first transfer, I spend a portion to clear the outstanding arrears. I am happy that they have now been allowed back to school. In addition, I also purchased three goats to keep in my homestead, which I am assured that they will reproduce and increase in number in the near future. I will be able to sell to meet future financial needs. Apart from all these, I also purchased two mattresses, one for my children to sleep on comfortably to replace the old beddings they were using. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount to pay for my household expenses and did some shopping on foodstuffs and other basic necessities for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My long life desire has been to own a businees that can sustain my family's basic needs. This aspiration has never come through because my job as a food vendor is not reliable as at today. I am forced to depend most on my husband who is doing a part time work as a carpenter. His income is not sufficient enough to cater for our family needs. Receiving this money means providing capital for my business and also enable my husband to start his own workshop. These businesses will be our reliable sources of income that can support our family's basic needs like food and education. I also plan to buy one cow for milk production, to supplly within the village. This will supplement our income and hence, this is basically what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually wake up early in the morning and prepare my children to school. After they have gone, my husband and I leave to work at the farm up to noon. When we are back home, I prepare our lunch meal and share with my family members. Having done that, I am still forced to prepare food for sell. It is at the afternoon hours where I go round searching for my customers. The interactions i have with my customers gives me hopes for my business. Therefore, afternoon is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We are a family of seven household members but considering my husband's job status as a part time worker, his earnings are never enough to sustain our basic needs. This has forced me to be engaged in food vending within the village in order to supplement his income. With all our efforts in trying to make ends meet, our combined income is still unreliable. This makes me feel that, lack of reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.