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 ($475 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?
Before receiving the money I had the intentions to dig a well and pump water so that I could use since our village was experiencing drought and most times I had to buy water which was costly and also came from very far. I also wanted to at least manage to buy livestock so that I could rear.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am so grateful to this organization because if it were not for the funds that I received then I would have lost my eyesight because the transfers assisted me in paying for my medical bills which I would have never been able to afford were it not for the financial assistance.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the first transfers unfortunately I had happen to injure my eye a few days prior and the injury made my vision impared so I used all my money in paying for hospital bills and fare so with second transfer i went ahead and purchased a cow at KES 21,000 and I hoped eventually it would give me offsprings and later turn into a herd. I also paid tuition fee for my son at KES 21,000 since he had debts in school. Due to my illness I was advised to not use firewood when it came to cooking so I bought a gas cooker at KES 4,500 and a frying pan at KES 450 which I planned on using to help in cooking meals for my small business that I intended to start once my health got better.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the morning, I was in my house with the helper sick with eyesight issues because of the accident that I bad occurred. I heard message notifications and my helper informed me that I had received the transfer. I felt extremely happy for receiving my transfer since I had no money to go to an optician. I am so grateful for the transfer that had turned my life for the better.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now happy after getting proper medication after the accident that claimed my eyesight with the aid of my transfer. I would not have been able to settle the medical without the aid. Furthermore, my child is learning without any interruption due to fee issues and I am relieved of the stresses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My child is in his final year in secondary school, I was constantly stressed up on how to settle his fee arrears. He was always sent home to collect fees something that has affected his concentration in class. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 15,000 to support his education by clearing the whole year's school fee. I am currently a relieved and happy parent after clearing the fee arrears. In addition, I used KES 30,000 to seek proper medication for myself. I was involved in accidents a few days before receiving the transfer that made me lose eyesight of one of my eyes. In addition, I bought a 6Kilograms gas cylinder that will help me in the preparation of food since I was advised not to use firewood by the optician because of the condition of my eyes. I also bought some household utensils with the remaining amount.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Water shortage has been a persistent problem in our area especially during the dry season. Receiving this money means that I will be able to finish constructing a water tank;a project that I had started sometimes back. This is together with placing water gutters which will collect water to the tank during the rainy season. This will cost me approximately 150 USD. This will provide me and my family water for domestic use during the dry season which is usually very long. The remaining part of my first transfer will help me educate my children. I have one child in secondary school and another awaiting to join a hair dressing college.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My activities revolve around my compound and my farm. The happiest part of my day is in the morning when the day is still young. I am usually effective in my work because my muscles are stongesst at that time. I do my house chores and go to the farm till noon.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I depend on my farm to get food for consumption and for sale. However,my biggest challenge as a farmer is the little harvest attributed to prolonged drought and unfertile land. This has led to low income since my farm is all what I can depend on. For many years, I have struggled to get the basic needs and educate my children due to low crop production. Financial struggles is therefore my biggest hardship.
