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 ($524 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After my mother passed away all the responsibilities were left to my father who is a causal worker at a nearby tea factory . His income could barely sustain our needs . It was a struggle and their was a point in time we were rendered homeless and from to the community empathy they had a fundraiser . These amount of money that was collected facilitated the construction of a one room house hosting six of us . This one room served a a kitchen and the main house as well . Currently my life is different in that I have bought building materials and extended our house into a two roomed one which accommodates my family . I am thankful for GiveDirectly's transfers that have enabled us to disapprove of some of my villagers who used to look down upon our family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion , GiveDirectly did well at its enrollment by conducting door to door visits in every household. The fact that the participation was voluntary gave the participant the freedom to decide whether to participate or not which was awesome as well. I do not see what GiveDirectly did wrong at its work.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent almost my entire transfer to extend a wing in our house . I am very humbled that the house were are staying in accommodates my family comfortably. I bought two plastic chairs and and a table with the remaining transfer which we lacked before.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($532 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Living in a permanent house is the biggest difference in my daily life. Since we only have a single parent who is very old, and I being the firstborn, I did not have any hopes of sleeping under a permanent house anytime soon. Some years back my mother passed on and I had to drop out of school and look after my siblings since my dad is very old. I had to do some casual jobs getting a meager wage which could only sustain us with the basic needs. The money was barely enough for the basic necessities, leave alone saving up to build a house. The house we used to stay in was small and in a critical condition, leaking every now and then. The transfers from GD has transformed us because we are now sleeping under a spacious permanent house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 3 am when I heard my phone notify me of a new message. Upon checking, I realized that it was a message notifying me that GiveDirectly has credited my M-pesa account with the amount they had promised. I got so excited and knew immediately that my life would turn around with the help of these transfers!
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the transfer received on building materials such as timber, iron sheets, building poles and nails. This was purposely for the construction of a new house since the previous house I used to live in was quite small and the roofing was too old. I also bought a bed and a mattress to replace the mats that I previously used as bedding. I also paid my sibling's school fees and also bought him a new pair of uniforms. He used to be frequently sent home for school fees and I am happy that the situation has changed. I also bought enough foodstuff and other household items to help my old single parent. We now have enough food and we no longer go to bed hungry as used to be.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My father has in most instances been away for work and we rarely get to spend time with him, ever since our mother died in 2015, the responsibilities and the urge to provide for the family drove him to Mombasa town in search of better opportunities. He struggles a lot out there to ensure that we get food and stay in school. I believe receiving this money will bring him closer now that he can use the transfers to start a business near home. Again we live in a house that is still under construction, it stalled due to insufficient funds; the roof is not fully covered, and the door is not there. And since we stay alone, we sometimes sleep at night with a lot of fear. Again, whenever it rains, we are subjected to cold. Therefore, we will use part of the transfers to complete our house and the rest will go into paying school fee arrears that have accrued since the year began.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a student, evening is the happiest part of my day. As expected, I spend the better part of the day in school and return home in the evening to attend to a few household chores. After cooking for my siblings and completing homework, this is the time that I get to rest and it informs the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The pain of losing a mother at a very tender age of 15 years is something that is unimaginable, and life never prepares us for such kind of a horrifying ordeal. This happened to us four years ago, and as a firstborn girl child, I was forced to assume the duties and responsibilities of taking care of my younger siblings, so that my father could have ample time in securing better employment opportunities in Mombasa town. Every day, I have to ensure that my siblings get food and other motherly attention before I head to school. Given that I am also a student like them (currently at standard seven), responsibilities at home some times can be so overwhelming, and this has affected my grades a couple of times. Losing our mother was the biggest hardship in my life. It took away my teenage stage of life.
