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 ($500 USD)
access_time over 4 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 currently because I am sleeping in a decent house. Before the coming of GiveDirectly came into my life, I used to sleep in a small hut which was temporary. It was always leaking during the rainy seasons and I was always seeking shelter from neighbors. I really had the desire to construct a decent one but I did not have the money to buy the required materials. I am now a happy soul because I managed to build a decent spacious iron-roofed house from the transfers and this makes the biggest difference in my life. Courtesy of GD.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well especially in giving us the freedom of choice on what to purchase using the transfers. This is because we all have different needs in our households and this was perfectly done. I do not see any sector GiveDirectly went wrong.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some livestock such as ten goats. These are currently the living assets that I will always lean on just in case of any financial difficulties. I also bought some beddings such as a mattress and a bed because the previous I was using the old traditional beds made of ropes. I then bought a small water tank and some jerricans. The remaining amount of money I am using it in buying enough foodstuffs fr my family and some other household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($536 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a new iron roofed house. This has been my biggest dream which has been fulfilled by the coming of GiveDirectly. I couldn't manage to buy any of the materials at my own cost. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to build a new house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I heard my phone ringing early in the morning. I called for my helper and he confirmed that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy on receiving this money since it would change my life.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials that include iron sheets, building poles nails and timber to build a new house. I did not have a house. I was only sheltering in my neighbors house. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to build a new house. I also spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs and other basic needs and paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I returned to my maternal home many years ago when I was rejected by my in-laws after the death of my husband. Since then, life has never been favorable to me considering that I have no one to depend on in basic needs provision. I am forced to work as a charcoal burner and at the same time extracting aloe vera to earn me a living. With all my efforts, I have never managed to construct a decent house for myself and I am sheltered in my brother's house which is at now, it's condition is not worthy for a human being. Receiving this money means a nice home for me since I am planning to construct a decent and spacious house and purchasing of new beddings using my first transfer. My second plan is to use $380 to buy an oxen and ox plough inclusively to help me in upscaling my farming. This will mean a transformed life for me, a transition that I have long wished.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have always wished to spend my day at home relaxing but that has not been the case. I usually consume the better part of my day in the bush extracting aloe vera and partly on charcoal burning. My evenings are the best for me since I get ample time to relax when I am off from my tight day's schedule.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine at the age of 65 years and I am still active in aloe vera extraction and charcoal burning. It is a very difficult life for me but because I have no one to depend on, these activities remain to be my hope for living. Despite these activities being tiresome and time-consuming, I usually make 20 liters of aloe vera juice which I sell at $17 and this means spending the whole month. On the other hand, the charcoal work drains much of my energy yet, it earns me very little, normally ksh1000 per 2 sacks which also take me a month to make. Therefore, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as the biggest hardship in my life.
