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 ($492 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before receiving the transfers, I used to live in one of my relatives house. This was like living in a cage since you have no where to even plant some vegetables. The transfers came in handy as it enabled me to acquire a piece of land and build a house for my family. I am glad and grateful to God for leading GiveDirectly to me for had it not have been for the transfers, I would still not be having a place to call my own.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid and I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We used to live in May forest and after we were evicted last year, I had to request one of my relatives to give us one of his house since he was not living in it. My transfer came in handy as I was able to spend KES 40,000 from it to purchase a piece of land. We settled on this as a family so that we would have a land to call our own. Using the remaining amount, I bought some timber to use in building a house for my family in our newly acquired land.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($501 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment, I received kes 55000 I felt so relieved as I knew that these money will change my entire life. I was so greatful that Give directly had fulfilled thier promise.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that now I have my own piece of land which is bought as a result of GiveDirectly's transfers. This shall be our new home because I'm am in the process of building a new house on the acquired land. Having where to call home is the biggest difference after being homeless for sometime.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am one of Mau Forest evictees, and since we were kicked out of the water catchment tower life haven't been the same again. When GiveDirectly came to my parental home I had been given a house to live by my relatives and I would go out to look for some casual jobs to raise money for food for my family. Luckily, I was enrolled to be part of the recipients and W when I received my first transfers, I spent KES 38000 on buying an 1/8th of an acre where I am in the process of building our new home. I also spent KES 10000 on purchasing building materials for constructing a new house. The remaining amount, I spent on buying some maize, clothes, shoes and beddings such as matress and blankets.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a homestead for my family. My desire has been to own a piece of land since the place we call our home does not belong to us. I am intending to spend shillings 80,000 to buy 0.2-acre piece of land and build a house for my family. This will earn me respect which I lost long time ago in the community.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend my mornings doing my household chores, after which I go to my neighbor's farm either to weed or dig for a pay. Afternoon rest keeps me refreshed, and this makes it the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have been homeless for 1 year after being chased away by security officers from mau forest due to government instructions. This forced me to return to my ancestral home with my grand children. I have wished to have my own place but I have not been able to do so due to financial crisis. Therefore, financial problem is the biggest hardship I am facing in my life.
