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 ($427 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I currently have a plan that I am committed to seeing through. I had started a mud-walled rental house which stopped after completing the perimeter wall due to lack of funds. Therefore once I get some money I aim to complete the construction. I am pretty sure that this business will work out well for me since rental houses are scarce yet they are in demand in our area.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly is a faultless organization in my view. The organization came to empower the community members. In our area, the majority of the children in the families are now back to school after dropping out due to school fees. The source of their return to school is GiveDirectly. Without biases, I confess that GiveDirectly is an impactful organization.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, the priority was to settle my son's college fee balance. He is in his last year and I wanted him to have ample time to concentrate so that he could do his best in the final examination. Therefore, I saw it prudent to pay the required $100 to the college. Currently, my son is happy since he has a good time conducting his studies without being frustrated with fees. This also gives me peace of mind because his happiness relieves me. Thereafter, I bought a bed and a mattress for $220 since I used to sleep on the floor something which was shameful to me but I had to so that I to educate my son. For the remaining amount, I bought enough stock of food for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($478 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That evening, I was at home relaxing waiting for my son whom I usually depend on to come back with food so that I can prepare supper. No sooner had he arrived, than I heard a message notification from my phone. I gave him to check what was it all about only to tell me that I had received the transfers. We were both so happy because we knew that it will easen our lives.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Previously, I used to go my neighbor who lives a kilometer away for me to use a toilet. I used to be embarrassed everytime I had visitors at home because they wouldn't come back since I didn't have a toilet. Right now I have a toilet of my own and my dignity has been restored.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A couple of years ago before I became asmatic, I struggle so much to ensure that I had flowing piped water in my compound because then, I would go kilometers away in search for water only to come back with a 20 liters jerican. After I fell sick, my son who is a casual labourer working on farms or building sites couldn't afford to pay the monthly bill as he was earning an average weekly wage of 500 KES and this was only enough to get us basic needs. This forced our water supplies to disconnect our pipe until we clear the arrears of 18000 KES. I also needed to repair my muddy house because it has holes everywhere and I was afraid that snakes and other dangerous creatures would get into my house through the hokes and attack me. I spend 18000 KES to clear the water arrears, 28000 KES to repair my house and build a toilet and 8000 KES to pay school fees for my last born son who is in high school. I'm grateful that I have flowing water back home and I don't have to walk for long distance in search of water despite being sick.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband died 10 years ago and left me with 2 children who by then were in primary school. He left behind a house which was small and collapsing. After 2 years the house fell and I had to construct another one but it was small. Receiving this transfer means building a separate house for my son who is now above 18 years. We have been sharing the same house something that I feel it lowers my prestige. I am intending to spend KES 50,000 on the structure. Apart, from the house I will invest the remaining amount on livestock ( goats keeping). This will generate income to my family in future because I will sell them at a profitable price.
What is the happiest part of your day?
A month ago, I received a token of KES 2,000 from my daughter. By the time she was sending this amount, I had spend a whole night without food to eat because I did not have any food in my house and I am under medication. This miracle happens at the right time because I managed to buy stock of food for a period of 2 weeks. This brought a lot of happiness to my life because it saves me.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Sickness is the biggest challenge I am facing. I have been suffering from chest pains and asthma for almost 3 years now. This has been the major problem to me because it hinders me from performing any task and provide for my family needs such as food. The medication is also expensive to me, the fact that I do not work.
