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 ($530 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
Previously, I had weak chairs which were risky sitting on them because one could easily fall and life was harder when I had visitors because I had to hire plastic chairs from my village members. I bought decent seats with the larger part of the money that I received from GiveDirectly.The remaining transfer I spent on buying building material that I hadn't purchased with the first transfer and used them to build a decent spacious house that I have always desired to own.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well at the initiation of the transfer program in the village. They conducted baraza to demystify propagandas which were cropping up in the village, as a result, it enhanced community involvement as well. I personally feel that the amount given was little hence I wasn't able to achieve some of my projects.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I used to stay in a small one-roomed house which was squeezed and when we were all in it, one could accidentally step on the other while moving around indeed movements and privacy was difficult. I wished to change this situation and due to the meagre income, I made from the causal work having a spacious house was just a dream to achieve. My life is different in that I been able to own a spacious house and now were are able to have family time together hence it has strengthened our love and happiness as well.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($538 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I had a single room house but the family have grown big, we are now seven in the family, so we couldn't fit in the house, but we had to squeeze ourselves in it because we didn't have a choice. When I received the first transfer I used it to construct a three-room house and I'm now happy the children have a separate bedroom from our bedroom, at least we have our privacy.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I usually wake up at 6:30 am but on this day I was awoken by the sound of the phone at around 5:00 am. Being that I was expecting the GD money could be sent at any time, I rushed to check if it could be a message from GD and to my surprise, I had received money from GiveDirectly. I thanked God, took the phone back and went back to sleep because I didn't want to interfere with my spouse, I had to let her sleep until morning when I shared the news with her. She was pleased and advised me that we shouldn't rush in spending the money since she knew everyone would spend it at that time and the prices of most commodities would go up.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning a bigger house has always been a challenge and it always kept me in deep thoughts wondering how to raise money for constructing the house because it pained me seeing my children staying in such a poor conditioned house. I'm happy, proud and I'm currently settled psychologically because I have achieved the dream of owning my dream house. This is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is when my wife was hospitalized for three months and I could not raise enough money to pay the hospital bills and I had to sell few household items to settle the bills.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning when I wake up to start doing my daily duties. I feel happy because it is by God's grace that I get to see a new day and have energy to tackle my duties.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is a blessing from God. I will use it to repair my house and also buy inputs such as fertilizer and seeds to improve my harvest.