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 ($467 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My new goals are to start a sustainable business and to buy another cow. I want to start the business so that it can help me in the future when I get my own family. I also want to buy another cow to add to the one that I bought with the second transfer because it is also going to help me in the future. I will be able to get milk that I can sell and use the money in paying school fees for my future children.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well because they sent the money just as they had promised. They did not lie to us. They were also not biased since they enrolled everyone in my community and everyone got money. I do not see anything wrong with their way of work and hence I urge them to continue with the same spirit of helping the needy in the society.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the second transfer on finishing the construction of the house that I had started building with the first transfer. I decided to build another house because the one that I use to live in was small and grass-thatched. The space was so small that it could not accommodate any guest visiting my household. Getting grass for thatching the roof had also become quite a challenge since they are no longer available. One has to buy them and it is expensive since a bunch goes at KES 300. I am happy because I was able to complete the construction and I now live in a spacious house that is roofed with iron sheets. Apart from the house, I also spent KES 27000 on buying a cow. I decided to buy a cow so that it can help me in the future when I start a family. I also usually incur the cost of buying milk and hence when the cow calves, I will be able to get milk for consumption and for sale. I also bought a chair at KES 2500 and a bed at KES 4000. Those were the items that were missing in my house. The remaining amount of money I used it in buying clothes and a few personal items. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly because my life changed for the better, I am no longer like before.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($492 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a motorcycle rider and I was going on with my daily routine when I heard a message notification on my phone. My heart was filled with joy upon checking its contents as it was a Mpesa message indicating that I had received the promised money from GiveDirectly. I called my spouse and informed her about the goodness that had just come in and she was equally overjoyed. I would have stayed at home and relaxed as a way of celebrating that day but I saw an opportunity of making more money on that day since I knew that so many people would go and withdraw their transfers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
It had always been my goal to build an iron-roofed house for my family for a very long time but had not been able to due to insufficient funds. As a bodaboda rider, my salary is at times not enough to cater to our daily needs hence saving towards this goal had become impossible. With the transfer, I was able to build a two-room house and I am happy since we have a separate bedroom hence we enjoy our privacy as our visitors no longer get a glimpse of our beddings and most of our belongings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to live in a small grass-thatched house and I had desired to build a more spacious iron-roofed house for my growing family. On receiving my transfer, I spent KES 45000 to achieve this so that I can always have peace of mind. I am glad that as my family grows, my children will have their separate bedrooms and we will have our privacy as parents. In addition, I will not be incurring the cost of changing the roof every two years to avoid it from leaking. Using the remaining KES 8000, I bought food to last us for some time and some second-hand clothes for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am motorcyclist who dropped out of school at a tender age due to poverty.My parents work as casual workers at Olerai and Mara where they earn approximately KES 6000 a month.Being an adult now with 8 siblings , I had to establish a house of my own and be independent .Leaving in a grass thatched house is costly because the grass does not st long and hence it has to be replaced within a lifespan of three years. As you can see I replaced this roof in December and this cost me KES 3200 for the grass and KES1500 for labor cost. Receiving this money means I can build a house of 24 iron sheets at an approximate cost of KES 850 per iron sheet and KES 1000 for labor and nails.My plan is also to buy 2 dairy goats so that it can multiply and give me milk. Although am single I plan to get married in two years time because most of my age mates are already married.I shall use some of the money approximately KES 25000 to buy a cow that will be paid as dowry.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spent the most part of my day in the transport sector.I transport people and luggage along Chebunyo, Transmara and Chebole road. I meet different kinds of people at this work, some very respectful and others disrespectful but due to my love for this job and the objective of earning a living I have learned to endure.Morning is the happiest part of my day because I get another chance to try my luck of putting food on my table.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I dropped out of school due to the financial constraints my parents had. Being a motorcycle rider was the only option I had because farming has been affected by the prolonged drought in this area. I was hired by a teacher to ride this bike and I get a weekly wage of KES 800 at most. Although I stay alone this amount is spent on food and clothing and hence I am unable to save anything for the future. This makes me much worried and afraid to start a family because am barely able to provide for myself. Financial constraint is the biggest hindrance in my life.
