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 ($501 USD)
access_time 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 from how it was in that, I managed to build a decent house. Before then, I was staying in a house that was almost collapsing and could leak during rainy seasons. I also sleep well after buying a mattress and bed which I am yet to pick from the carpenter. I have also started planing on building a house for my son. Soon we will be staying in the same compound. He will not be staying with friends anymore.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I thank GiveDirectly because our lives were totally transformed using the transfer. The money was unconditional which gave us the allowance of planing on our own. I love the fact that almost everyone was enrolled. There is nothing that went wrong, which I can point out.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on purchasing a steel door which I have already fixed. I used part of my first transfer on building a house but all through I have been using a curtain even at night to act as a door since I did not have money to buy one. I am glad that nowadays I lock my stuff safely. I also bought a mattress and paid for bed which I am yet to pick in a few days time. Before then we were using traditional beds made of sisal which were uncomfortable. We already sleep well on the mattress as we wait for the beds. Changing my children's wardrobe was also one of my priorities which I managed to achieve using the transfer. I actually bought them clothes. I still have some money that I am planning to use to build a house for my son who normally sleeps in his friend's place. At least we will be able to monitor him, the best role that a parent can execute.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is that I am now hopeful of living in my own home. Through the transfers I got from Give Directly I have already bought the necessary building materials. Initially, I only used to depend on casual jobs. The money I got from these jobs was enough to buy basic needs. I used to save nothing towards this goal therefore there were slim chances of establishing my home. I am happy that soon I will be living with my family in our own homestead.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my transfers I felt so happy and great. I knew my dream was finally going to be accomplished.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my recent transfers, I paid school fees for my son. Besides that, I also used part of the balance Kes 20,000 to purchase poles, sisal twine and nails to be used to construct a house for my household given that I am the second wife and my husband is way old that he can no longer work to support us. The amount that remained was Kes 13,000 and it was not enough to purchase timber and iron sheet for roofing so I decided to save it and wait for the second transfer so that I can add to it and purchase roofing materials.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
To have a decent shelter has been my direst need for a very long time. I am not comfortable in my current house because it is too small to accommodate my family of 10. This has forced 3 of my children to seek shelter in our relatives' houses. This situation is quite stressful since I fear for their security at night. I also feel that they might get exposed to immoral behaviour since I cannot monitor them closely. In addition to being small, the house is also in a very poor condition. The walls are almost collapsing and the roof is leaking making it more life threatening. I will therefore use part of this transfer to construct a better house to save my family the agony of poor housing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Nothing makes me happy than having my family around. During the day I am always busy with farm duties and we hardly interact. It is only in the evening when we get to bond as we take supper. Their presence gives solace to my heart.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of enough money is my biggest hardship. This has resulted to constant suffering in my family in terms of providing basic needs. Recently I underwent a caesarian section a condition that left us with a debt of 3400 shillings. As little as it may seem, we have not been able to raise the amount. This is not limited to the fact that I cannot provide enough food for my children and pay their school fees on time.
