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 ($444 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Prior to being introduced to the Organization, I had initially bought a piece of land but unfortunately i ran out of funds, so I planned to use the money to finish paying off the land so that I could finally own it completely. Then afterwards I planned to perhaps look into buying a couple of farm animals.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, I honestly feel like GiveDirectly has done a great deal especially when it comes to trying to eliminate poverty back in the village. I have seen it in myself and through other people because now we are slightly less poor as we used to because now own farm animals, built better houses, our kids are going to school and that is more than you could ever ask for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As soon as I received the money I decided to finally settle the debt of buying that piece of land, so I ended up paying KES 30,000 for it and now I finally own it. I then went ahead and purchased five goats which cost me KES 15,500. I also decided to buy five pieces of iron sheets for KES 4,900 because I wanted to fix some part of my roof and then I ended up using the rest of the money on ensuring my family and I had a meal.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($475 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While in the field tilling my shamba in preparation for the sawing season, I received a message on my phone. I hesitated for a while till around 9 am when I decided to check what the message was all about. I didn’t believe my eyes when they bumped into a figure of KES 55000.00 which had been received from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed to an extent of not being able to proceed with the work I was doing. The happiness made me leave for home to share the same happiness with my husband.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
After completing the walls of the house I was building, I was stuck and I had no means of completing the house. I was worried once the walls are rained on during the rainy season, then they would collapse. But as of now, I render my sincere gratitude to GiveDirectly for enabling me to complete the roofing of my house thus relieving me from the stress I had about the house. For sure if it were not for GiveDirectly I would not have completed the house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon withdrawing the money, the first thing I did was to buy some iron sheets for KES 32930.00 to complete a house that I had already started and only the roof was remaining. I also bought eight chickens for KES 2400.00 to have some poultry at home as well as paid a debt of KES 3000.00 at a shop where I used to take some foodstuff. Thereafter I opted to keep the remaining amount for the family upkeep.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I was young, I had a deep love for education. My dream was to study at University, get a job in the city and make a good living for myself. As fate would have it, my parents could not afford to see me past standard six. That said, my husband and I made a conscious decision to educate our children past the levels we both went up to. Three of our children are in secondary school, the lastborn is in primary school. We will use all these funds to pay for their fees. My husband works as a mason, his hard work sees him get lots of jobs and he provides for us. I am thankful.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past year, we moved to Ganze from Kanamai, near Mtwapa. The space we live in was so tiny and overpopulated. I used to feel so suffocated by the number of people crowded in one place. My husband had saved up some money and when he had had enough of my rant, he decided to buy two acres of land and settle me elsewhere. I cannot begin to explain how happy that made me. I am glad that my husband listens to me and he always ensures that I am comfortable.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Our four children go to school far away from home. Neither of them comes home often. When my husband leaves for work, I get so lonely and bored. I miss my family so much but I have to let them study and work. In a few years, we shall reunite and the boredom will cease.
