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 ($505 USD)
access_time 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 was because I have been able to pay school fees for my children for this year and also bought for them all the school requirements that were needed. Due this, I now have enough time to look for next years school fees. I am also glad since they will not miss their classes this year as a result of being sent back home to collect school fees. Also, I have been able to start building a decent house for my family. Currently, we are living in a house that is almost collapsing and leaks during rainy seasons.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by uplifting our living standard in different ways through the transfers. Most of us were able to achieve our goals by sending our children to school, building decent houses and buying assets such as livestock. I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent it to buy some building materials to use in building a decent house for my family. This was my priority since the one we are currently living in is always leaking during the rainy seasons. I had not been able to renovate it since I could not afford the cost of buying the roofing materials. Also, I spent some amount to buy a battery for lighting purposes. I had a solar that had remained unused for some time after the battery I had malfunctioned. I spent the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family after saving KES 5000 that I am planning to use in paying the mason. I bought some utensils and clothes for everyone in my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($547 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have paid school fees for my children in school. I depend on casual jobs in the village to earn an income to meet the household needs including paying school fees for my children. The amount of money I could get from this casual jobs was so small and could not meet all the basic needs at once. My children could be sent home to collect the school fees and because I did not have the money the could stay at home for a long time before they return. When I received the money I paid school fees for my children and I know that they won't be sent home again this term. I am so happy because I have peace of mind to do my daily activities without any stress. Thanks to GiveDirectly for this noble idea to help us.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment when I received my money I felt so happy. I remember it was very early in the morning when I was checking my phone as usual. I did not know that GiveDirectly had sent the money. I felt so happy because I knew I would be able to pay school fees for my children. My family members also felt so happy because of this support.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school and one in college, I also bought timber planning to build a house for my family and the rest of the money I used it to buy food for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My first priority when I receive this money is building a kitchen which will cost me approximately 30,000 Kenya shillings.The current one is grass thatched and leaks during the rainy season. After I complete that I will build a poultry house so that I can expand poultry farming.This will cost me around 40,000 Kenya shillings.I will use the rest of the money in catering for basic needs especially clothes for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After milking the cows early in the morning I head for work.I am a carpenter.I work till 5am where I head back home. Being at home in the evening makes me feel happy.This is the time I reflect on how the day was as I relax with my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I am facing in my life is financial constraints.I believe this is as a result of inadequate skills in my work.I am a carpenter and I learned my carpentry skills through apprenticeship.I schooled up to secondary school level but did not continue due to lack of school fees.I wanted to join a technical institute so that I can develop my skills professionally .This has limited my income because I do not have enough skills to earn more income.Going through professional training could have made me more skillful resulting to quality furniture which would sell at higher prices.More income would have enabled me to open my own workshop and employ other people.This has always been my dream.
