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 ($528 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent some amount to finish building a house for my family. Also, I paid school fees for my three children who are in secondary school. I settled on this so that they would not be sent back home hence they will not miss classes. I used the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family. I bought two sacks of maize flour, some clothes, and other household necessities.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a good job in our village by giving everyone financial aid without any discrimination. I love their service delivery and their field officers who are friendly.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is currently different than how it would have been had I never received the transfer because my family now lives in a more decent and spacious house. A visitor might not even know that the owner of my current house is unemployed due to its state. The house is also more permanent, less dusty and it takes my wife a shorter time to clean it. All this would not have been possible had it not have been for the transfers.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($529 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent most of my first transfer to buy building materials as I planned to have a new house. It had always been in my priority plans to put up a new and spacious house. This was informed by the fact the house we were living in was very small and a little too uncomfortable to accommodate all of us. We are now a happy family having completed the construction of our new house. The remaining amount of money was used to buy food and other basic household needs for the family and pay school fees for my children.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received my money. I remember very well that I received a message confirming that I had received some money from GiveDirectly and I could not keep calm. I shared the news with my spouse and children and they were overwhelmed with joy. Never before had we received such an amount of money in our lives? From then on, I knew that I was finally going to be able to build a better house for my family and shift from the small one that had constantly given us a lot of discomfort and embarrassment as well.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life that has been brought about by these transfers is the fact that I have been able to build a bigger and better house for my family. This has given me a great sense of satisfaction as the head of the family. For a long time, I had desired to build a new house and move away from the small one that was becoming so uncomfortable to live in especially with growing family size. The fear of welcoming visitors in my home is now a thing of the past after I managed to build the house to completion. My children sleep very well as well and have ample time to do their homework unlike before when they could not find time and space to do their homework. These transfers have generally changed our lives and this makes us happy.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have struggled a lot due to lack of money especially to educate my children.I have eight children and it was always my wish to educate my children to university level.Unfortunately I only managed to educate one child to university level;currently in the second year.I worked as a grounds man for 33 years and from my little savings I managed to buy the two acres of land that I am currently living in.This is what has at least boosted me to further education for my two younger children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a dairy farmer and therefore spend the better part of the day feeding and looking after cattle.I spend my mid morning in my garden where I have planted kales.Evening is the happiest part of my day since I relax after a tiresome day.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have a school fees burden which I hope to ease when I receive this transfers.I have one child at the university and another one set to join secondary school next year.I also have a plan to build a semi permanent house.I have always wished to build one but due to the school fees burden and lack of money I have not been able to.