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 ($491 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 much better after receiving the transfer because I have afforded to own a piece of land, something that makes me feel independent. As a single mother, I have always desired to attain all the basic elements that would enable us lead a happy and independent life. Thus, owning a piece of land means that soon I will establish my residence in a place where no one will be disturbing us. Currently, I am experiencing lots of pressures and disturbance from my siblings who claim I am attracting congestion in our father's land. They say I should get married and go live elsewhere.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by allowing recipients the freedom to choose on how to spend thier money. I find nothing that GiveDirectly doesn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used 40, 000 shillings of the second transfer on buying a piece of land. As a single mother without any reliable source of income, finding a place of residence has been the biggest challenge I face. I spent another 2, 000 shillings on educating my two children by clearing fee arrears that were pending. Also, I saved 4, 000 shillings to be used in case of an emergency. Finally, I purchased food items with the remaining amount since usually get inadequate produce from our small farm.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still recall I was at my friend's farm harvesting cowpeas when my mobile phone started vibrating. Since I had been been given a time frame for that particular job, I decided to ignore the message. After finishing the work is when I decide to check the content of the message. I was over executed and I remember leaving and rushing home. I was so glad to know my dream of owning a dairy cow is now achievable.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Previously, my children could be sent home for school fees several times and this was affecting their academic performance. They could also starve and miss some other basic needs as well. Having the dairy cow in my life is promising that this will come to an end because currently, I am getting plenty of milk for my family consumption which is making my family and I healthier. To add to that I am planning to sell the few liters of the milk to the local market and my neighbors. I will the money on paying school fees for my children and buying plenty of food and through this, I will no longer strain like before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying livestock such as a dairy cow worthy of KES 22000. I later bought some beddings such as a bed a mattress, three blankets. I have been sleeping on the floor using some old mats as beddings. I also bought some chairs and tables, previously when someone pays me a visit they had to sit on some old logs. I later paid for school fees and new uniforms for my children. With the remaining amount of money, I bought some household items such as utensils ad enough foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a lot to me and my family right now. I was initially married at some nearby place next to my home. The marriage was so abusive to me where I would often be abused. I had no parent back at home to explain my problems to since I was an orphan. I put up with the abusive marriage for about 2 years where I had my two children. It reached a point that I had to open up to my brothers and they gave me a listening ear and told me to come back home. I had to start my life all over again. And with the little resources here at home, I plan to use my Transfer to buy a piece of land where my children can call home.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is mostly on Sundays where I get to go to church and get spiritual nourishment. It feels so good to me and my family since we do have time to relax after a hard week's work as well.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced in my life is when I lost my parents at an early age. Most of my relatives did not want to stay with me claiming that my parents died of HIV virus. This led to a lot of stigmatising on me since I was the youngest which made me feel so bad. I thank God that I have been able to outgrow my challenges to become the person I am today.
