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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be updated on Josephine's next check-in.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($519 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 AM when I received the transfer notification message. I was so overjoyed for I knew I will achieve a lot. I started celebrating with my family and thanking GiveDirectly for the financial help
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is totally different from how it was initially because I managed to complete constructing my permanent house. Before then, I used to stay in a muddy house with a leaky roof during the rainy season. I had to seek shelter from friends together with my family every now and then. I had no hopes of finishing constructing my house after my spouse lost his job and being the breadwinner everything changed because there were some other family responsibilities to cater to. Therefore what I can say is that the cash transfer has empowered me greatly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as cement, wooden windows, and metal door. This was for the completion of my new house which I had initially started constructing previously. I then paid the mason his labor charge at KES 10000. The remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means finishing my house to a standard that I desired it to be. As for now, we constructed a permanent house but we could not finish it due to the financial crisis and my plan was to spend the first transfer to do this. On the other hand, I intend to buy a 10,000 liters water storage tank to store water to use during the drought seasons and also to sell to the community in order to earn an extra income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day. This is because it is at this time when I go to school and meet my pupils. Teaching them gives me the feeling of having fulfilled my objectives as a teacher.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints are the biggest hardship that I currently face in my life. This is because, despite being a teacher, I have failed to achieve some of my goals like that of buying a water tank, something that has forced me to buy water from a tap that is very far from home. This cost me a lot since a 20 liters jerrican cost $1 during the drought season.
