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 ($493 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?
My life is so different than how it would have been I managed to settle the huge fee balance for my children. Before GiveDirectly came into our lives, they used to be sent home due to the fees arrears. As a parent, I was always stressed up considering I did not have a stable source of income. Therefore they could be sent home severally which was affecting their performance in school. I am glad they are now studying without any distractions and I am hopeful they will have a brighter future. Also, the goats that I purchased have brought a bigger change into my life. They now act as my security and I can lean on them anytime I am in need. Also through them, I am assured of they will be f great help to my children's eduction.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been doing perfectly good in my entire village and I just wish they could come back to us again. In the enrolment period, we were all well informed on the security information in regards to the transfers. This was of great help to us since some of it was our first time receiving money via phone. Otherwise, I do not see any sector GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying a big solar panel which is now providing us with light at night and charging our phones. I also cleared school fees for my four children who are still in primary. In addition, I bought some new school uniforms for them becasue the previous ones were not in good condition. Also, I bought a new mattress KES 4300 to replace the old one which I was not comfortable with and I could always encounter back pains. With the reming amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfer notification on my phone early in the morning. As I went through it, I could not hold the joy that filled my heart that morning. I could now afford to smile looking at the financial hardships I have faced since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Owning livestock that I never had before the coming of GiveDirectly makes the biggest difference in my daily life. These are assets that will help me in raising fees for my children. Planning for the future of our children's education has not been easy. The little income from menial jobs might not be enough to cater for this. I resolved to purchase the livestock to keep as part of the plan to ensure that the future of my children's education is secured.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my transfer on buying some livestock and foodstuffs for my family. My wish is to have many livestock because these are the only assets that I can have to secure the future of my children's education. So far I managed to buy some goats that I am currently rearing in my homestead. In addition, I have had enough food for my family. I have never ran out of food ever since receiving the money, unlike before when we could stay hungry due to lack of money.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire has been to own livestock that I can depend on in the future, but this has never been possible due to financial instability. Receiving this money means a dream fulfilled because I am sure of having the opportunity to spend utmost $200 to buy 8 goats to have a long-term project. This will help me to sort out any needs in the future like school fees, because they multiply fast, unlike cows. On the other hand, I also plan to reinforce my house with hardcore s plus cement and this will include making smooth floor for my house. To accomplish this, I will spend an estimated cost of $400. This will have a positive change to my livelihood and this is the life that I have desired for a long time.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a housewife, I am expected to do all the household chores like fetching water, cooking, and also my charcoal work. This means my day is fully occupied with tasks and the only time I get to rest is in the evening. Therefore, the evening is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a housewife plus the fact that I didn't have the opportunity to go to school, the only source of income I am actively engaged in is charcoal burning. This job is not an easy one and it requires me to spend a better portion of my day doing this work. Despite it being a tiresome job and time-consuming, its income is very low and usually can not fully support our very basic needs like food. Therefore, financial instability is the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
