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 ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The new goal that I have now is to focus on farming. This is because it does not require much capital to start and I will be doing it with the help of my family members. I will get enough food for the family and even sell the surplus to earn an income to meet other household needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by training the community before giving out the money. This enabled the community members to spend the transfer well. Most of the people were able to build better houses and buy daily cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 40,000 on purchasing iron sheets. I am planning on building a better and more spacious house. I live in a small old house. I have always wished to build a better house but I did not have the money to buy the building materials. I am so happy that I have purchased the iron sheets ready. I will start the construction once all the materials are there. I spent the remaining amount of money on food and household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfer I felt so good. I knew that out of the transfer, I would be able to meet some of my immediate needs. The transfer was sent to me as late at 6pm in the evening. At time I was in the hotel where I had gone to watch a match between Manchested United and Chelsea. I was shocked because I least expected to receive such a mount of money at that time.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I began receiving the transfer is gaining financial freedom. I am currently experiencing a big financial relieve as compared to the past. As a result of the transfer, I was able to pay off my children fee arrears in full thus they have been studying comfortably. Moreover, I have been able to obtain food for my family with ease for the past one month courtesy of the transfers. Lastly, I was able to use part of the transfer to fix my new house windows and a door thus a live in a more secure house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my most recent transfer to buy livestock, that is a goat and its kid. From the goat, we began to obtain milk for breakfast tea. In addition, from that one goat, I shall be able to raise some livestock. In addition, I paid school fee for my two children who are currently in primary school. Moreover, I bought one steel door at KES 4,000 and two steel windows for KES 5000. This because I had previously built a new house but it was incomplete. I am so happy that currently I live in a house that is more secured. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a very skilled shopkeeper and I have been working for someone in town for the last 15 years. I have managed to help my employer grow his business by a great margin. I am so happy about this because he values my input so much. I however want to put my skill set and experience into starting my shop. This way I will be able to meet school fee needs for my children fully. I depend on a KES. 6,000 monthly salary which usually goes to cater for food and school fees partially. I am disturbed that I cannot fully pay school fees for my 3 children within a year. The arrears are now almost at KES. 30,000. Receiving this money therefore means that I shall be able to utilize my expert skills in my new shop and also clear school fees arrears.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I enjoy my work in the shop so much and I like trying new products and selling them to my customers. Last month there was a new brand of bread in the market and I was quick to accept it from the manufacturer unlike my fellow shopkeepers were so hesitant about it. A few days later it turned out that the customers were so impressed about it and the only place they knew they could find it is in my shop. This earned me new customers and more sales, it gave me so much happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge am facing currently is mainly school fee demand. My income cannot sustain the need. The children keep being sent home to remind me that I have to pay which usually disturbs their learning in school. They miss a lot because they are sent home every final week of the month, am so sad about it but I am hopeful that now you have come to my aid they shall be able to have uninterrupted learning.
