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 ($510 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it could have been if I never received the money in that, my children could maybe be staying at home due to lack of money to pay their school fees. I am glad that the transfer helped me offset the amount that was needed and they are now settled in school. I also have goats which I count as my future assets. Expanding my business using the transfer was a major step since my income has improved which has enabled me to meet my needs with ease.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what I love about this organization is that the shortest time that they visited our community our lives changed tremendously. Most of us benefited and used the transfer to uplift our living standards through hitting our goals.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my second transfer on building a house. This was my first priority because it was an issue that was stressing me up. I had a small house that could not fit my family well. I also bought four goats that I count as my future assets. Apart from that, I paid school fees for my six children. At least they won't be sent home frequently due to fee arrears which was a big problem. Another priority was to restore my restaurant business. And so I bought more utensils that customers use comfortably.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($532 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Running the hotel business has been the biggest difference in my daily life that I can proudly talk of. Previously I was running it before it collapsed due to financial constraints funds. I was using most of the little profits that I was getting to cater for my basic needs. I did not have any other means to boost my capital. As a result, I had to close the hotel. When I received my first transfers I had to restart it again by purchasing enough stock and expanding it as well. Currently, the business is doing so well. It will enable me to pay school fees and cater to other basic needs for my family without any difficulties.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 PM when I heard the notification on my mobile phone. When I checked its content it was a message from GiveDirectly indicating that I had received money. I was so happy because I knew my life would never be the same again.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying two goats worth KES 3500 each. I later added more stock to my hotel which I was previously running at about KES 10000. I then bought some building materials 80 building poles, twenty pieces of iron sheets to build my house because my previous one was grass-thatched and very small. I then cleared the fee balance for my children and buying them some school uniforms since the previous ones were worn and old.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Raising children as single parent is very challenging to me when I consider my gender and job status in our village. My husband divorced me nine years ago and I was forced to return to my maternal home with my children. Since there was nobody to assist providing my family's needs, I opted to start my own hotel business at Kidemu center. This business has not been reliable due to insufficient capital. Receiving this money means expanding my business in order to make it stable. I also plan to construct a good house for myself and the remaining amount will support my children's education.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day is always occupied with a lot of activities at my work place. When I wake up in the morning, I prepare my children to school. Thereafter, I go and collect water which I use them at my work place. I come back home in the evening around half past seven o'clock when my body is exhausted. It is only at this time when I can relax and therefore, this is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I separated with my husband nine years ago, something that has forced me to take care for my children single handedly. This has challenged me financially and it forced me to start a small eating structure that earns me only one thousand shillings in a month when all works to my favour. My earnings are never enough to cater for my family needs and therefore, lack of reliable source of income is my biggest hardship.
