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 ($525 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 that how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I now live comfortably. Before, we were living in an old house that its roof was leaking during the rainy season. Due to this, it was always difficult for us to have a sound sleep during this season as it was always very cold. Also, my children have never been sent back home like they used to before hence they have been able to concentrate on their studies. This has been possible because I was able to use my transfer to clear paying their school fees.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by deciding to give us a financial aid and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent some amount to pay for my medication since I was sick the time I received my second transfer. Also, I held a home welcoming ceremony for mg son who had undergone initiation. I spent the remaining amount to buy some building materials that I am intending to use in building a spacious kitchen for my family after repaying the debt that I had.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($529 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest in my daily life is that I have built a better and spacious house for my family. I lived in a small grass-thatched house with my family. The house could not host all my family members comfortably. Its a taboo to sleep under the same roof with grown-up children and this means my children had to look for a place to sleep. I do depend on the casual jobs in the village and the amount of money that I get through this was only enough for the basic needs for the family I had no extra money that could allow me to build a house for my children. They used to sleep at their grandmother's house and it was so risky for them because of the movements during the nights. Currently, they have a good house to sleep and no more movement at night. I'm so happy for the support because it has enabled us to have a good shelter over our heads thanks to GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received my money I felt so happy. I remember that day I had left my phone charging overnight since we did not have electricity in our compound. When I heard celebrations from my neighbors I immediately rushed to the shop to confirm if I was among the lucky people who received the money. When I switched on the phone, the first message that I got was that from GiveDirectly confirming to me that I had indeed received a sum of KES 55000. I could not believe it because I had never received such an amount of money before. I had to buy airtime from my Mpesa account just to be sure that I truly had received such an amount in my phone. I could not help but be happy when I confirmed that I had truly received the amount of money. I informed my family members about the good news and they were equally happy to learn this.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of my first transfer to built a better and more spacious house for my family. I also used part of the transfer to buy food and farm inputs as I get ready to plant once the rains fall. The remaining amount of money was used to pay school fees for my children.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I will finally be able to build a better house as well as seek specialized treatment.A few years ago,a small growth surfaced just above my left eye.Then,it was not a big issue but over the years it has kept on growing bigger.I do not have a stable source of income therefore I can only manage to visit the small healthcare facilities within the village but they have not been able to assist.I have always wished that I could get some money so I can seek treatment at a nearby referral hospital.This money came at a very crucial time for me.With the remainder,I intend to build another house because the hut we live in is old and quite small for my family of seven.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After having my breakfast,I set out to look for a job for the day.At this time,the only thing in my mind is to be able to bring back something to eat at the end of the day.On most occasions,there is a lot of weeding,tilling or planting in my neighbours' farms who are better off than me.In the evening when am done for the day,I pass by the shops to buy some foodstuff.When I get home,my family is excited to see me and particularly what I have brought them.We then all know that there will be a meal that evening.Seeing them so happy makes me happy too, and this makes evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a casual labourer.As such,my income is very small.When there is no work to do on other people's farms,my family will sleep hungry.I have also been struggling to pay school fees for my children as well as provide for all their daily needs.This is often very difficult given that on a particular day,am not guaranteed that I will get a job that will pay.Lack of money to cater for my family's needs is the biggest hardship I have faced
