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
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a new goal that I did not have before receiving the cash transfer which was to purchase better beddings. For the last ten years, I have slept on a very small bed and sometimes on the floor. I have been experiencing lots of challenges such as back pains. I, therefore, trust that having a modern decent bed will enable me to sleep comfortably without any hiccups.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is the best NGO I have ever come across. It is a unique organization indeed from the fact that help was in form of cash which has never happened before. Through that, I now have livestock, a decent house and all my children are in school. I would not have achieved all these anytime soon if it were not for the financial support. I am so grateful and I do not see any sector that did not perform well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying two bulls at KES 36000. Being a farmer I have been thinking of owning the oxen for quite some time because using my hand when tilling my farm was very tiring. In some seasons, I could fail to prepare my farm in food time and this would result in poor yield. I am so happy for having the pair of oxen because they will not only be a relief to me but also I will hire them as friends and generate an income. Also, I bought some building materials such as timber, nails, and the labor charges which cost a total of KES 8000. This was for the completion of my house which I was stuck at some point because of the insufficient funds. Additionally, I cleared my medical bill of KES 4500 and I am thankful that I am now doing good. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for the family of five and other household items. My children no longer skip meals like before considering that I have been the breadwinner with a meager income.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 5 in the evening when I was from the market when I heard my phone running very loudly. I was so tired and even decided to rush home since it was about to rain. Upon arriving home, I asked my elder son to check for me the contents of the messages. I couldn't believe what he said, it was the Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. I was super excited knowing very well that the money will empower me to send all my children to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having have cleared the school fees for my two children has made my life to be relatively different. Previously, they have been off because of the huge arrears that had accumulated. Being a single parent of six children life has been so tough all along. This is because I only relied on off jobs with meager income which could not even sustain our basic needs. This has been affecting my children in such a way that one had opted to drop out of school which hurt me the most. Since I am illiterate I desired to see all my kids get a better education so that they can transform their tomorrow and future generations. I however felt this would not be achievable since I had no one to help out in funding their schooling. God has always been on my side and I am so grateful that my dream will soon come true since I was able to send them to school.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a fraction of my first transfer buying some building materials such as ten pieces of iron sheets at KES 8000, the bricks at KES 9000, three bags of cement at KES 2000. This was purposefully for the construction of my house since formerly it was almost falling, in addition, it was very small. Also, I bought an ox and one goat for a total of KES 20000. These have been the well helpful living assets thank I have been yearning to own but I couldn't afford them. In addition, I bought new school uniforms and cleared their fees as well. With the remaining amount of money, I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having successful children is the goal of every parent. Therefore, good education for my children is my all time ambition. I have two children who are currently undertaking their primary education. I pay a total of 1,000 KES per month as their tuition fees. Presently, paying their school fees is not that challenging for me but I believe it will when they are pursuing their higher education. I intend to buy 10 goats at a total cost of 25,000 KES. The goats will help me pay school fees for my children in the future. As the years go by, the goats will be increasing in number. Once I will be required to pay school fees or even sort any need that arises, I will sell my goats and get the amount of money required.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Good health in our family has been our source of joy. For the past 6 months, I have only had two incidences of sickness, my child and I. They were not serious complications for hospital admission. With the normal challenges of life, it is the good health that gives me hope.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment is the challenge I am currently facing. I used to work as a charcoal burner but I stopped because it was taking a toll on my health. I have been lacking a steady employment for the past one year. I only do casual jobs ( casual labourer at construction sites, washing clothes) around my community. These jobs are inconsistent. I can stay for as long as two weeks without a job. This has had an effect on the welfare of my family. Sometimes my children skip school due to lack of school fees. On extreme cases, I even fail to provide food for the children.
