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 ($527 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I secured tenders of supplying fruits to different schools in my area like Kaplosero primary school with part of GiveDirectly's transfer. Through the profits, I have been able to pay school fees for my children which has guaranteed their consistency in school. I have noted an improvement in their performance unlike before when they would be sent home most often due to lack of money. I could feel embraced as a parent seeing my children staying at home because I was not able to pay their fees on time. Today, I am at peace and happy seeing them going to school like other children. Thanks to GiveDirectly for financial support.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly supported the needy in my community through giving my society unconditional transfers which uplifted our living standards because most beneficiaries built new houses, started business, and bought livestock. I do not see what GiveDirectly did wrong at its work.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent 40, 000 KES of my second transfer to build a canteen purposely for commercial use. I bought a dairy cattle with the remaining amount unfortunately my wife got sick and since the medical bills were high after being admitted for long . I had to sell the dairy cow to cater to her medical bills . Therefore , I am glad that she has recovered and she is doing well.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($535 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have assets that I never thought I would have soon. My wife had fallen ill for quite a long time and her hospital bill had robed us of every asset that we had as a family. It is unfortunate that she passed on and we are yet to get over that but at least GiveDirectly transfers have come in handy to help us recover in terms of asset recovery.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received my transfer. I heard my phone ring late in the night towards dawn and on checking I found out that I had just received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy and I immediately got down to planning on how best I was going to use the money to reap maximum benefits.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used part of my first transfer to buy a cow, part of the remaining to make furniture for the family and the remaining amount was used to improve my fruit selling business.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was once a dairy farmer but due to financial challenges I had to sell all the cattle I had.The transfers from GiveDirectly will help me start with buying one dairy cow.The milk I get from the cow will help me a great deal in boosting my income.My second plan is starting poultry farming.I will start by building a good poultry unit and then buy a few chicken.Finally,I will build another kitchen;an iron roofed one this time round.The current one is grass thatched which leaks during rainy season.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend most of my time looking after cattle.I begin by feeding them in the morning then I go to my farm till noon.In the afternoon I graze the cattle then milk them later in the evening.After that I take a walk to the nearest shopping center where I meet with my agemates where we pass time sharing ideas.This is the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my wife two years ago to a disease which caused blood clots in her veins.Losing her is what hit me hard.As a family we have never gone through such a devastating moment.She left me with eight children;two of them so young that my in laws had to take care of them.We are very lonely at the moment.Her medication also cost me a lot.I sold most of the valuable property I had including my cattle.It has been a big hardship for me and I have never really come to terms with the situation.
