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?
Comparing my current life with how it would have been without the transfer, there is really a great difference. The two businesses sI started are really doing quite well, earning us income - something which I had never experienced before. Currently, I am no longer doing the casual labor I was always working on and I am grateful that I can also afford to hire some people to wok in my businesses.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, everything that GiveDirectly did n our village was really good. people managed to construct new houses, bought livestock and others start new businesses. With all these we are thankful and no one is complaining over anything at all.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
Receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly in a lump sum amounts was not only a blessing to our family but also an eye-opener over laying down great strategies on what to invest in.
I had to spend 20000 KES on livestock where I managed to buy 7 sheep, used the remaining to set up two businesses. One of the businesses is a small restaurant manageable by two other employees and myself and the other one is a maize-selling business where I stocked maize in stores and selling them locally in smaller quantities. I also used the last patch of it on buying household foodstuff.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($530 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference is owning a dairy cow. My children's life has improved because of the availability of milk for their nutrition. In addition to this, I am going to be selling the milk to earn a decent income. As a single parent, I am so happy that I have a daily income. I used to rely on menial jobs that were barely enough to feed us. I will be able to start a business . I will venture into running a restaurant and grocery. I will live a meaningful life because of the income bases established using GiveDirectly's help.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was the best moment that I have ever had in my entire life! I could not believe that the money was all mine. I called my name several times, telling myself that it was the beginning of life! I knew that was the end my of hardships. I could not rest until I got the money from the mobile money agent and see at as cash in my hands.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent the first transfer on a dairy cow. I had a challenge in providing milk for my child. I faced problems getting milk to buy as my neighbours would always turn me away without it. To make it worse, I don't have any money most of the times. Buying milk is very expensive. My children, for the first time in their lives, had a chance to herd the cow and taking her to feed in a nearby forest during the august school holidays. They are elated to have a cow they call their own. I also bought a flock of sheep. I finally bought foodstuffs and clothes for the children. I then cleared school fees for them.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a small house with only one room and my children are growing up very fast.This means that soon I will need a bigger house with more rooms.I am therefore planning to spend my first transfer on building a one bed roomed house made of iron sheet roof.The roof will help me collect water during the rainy season.I will also buy a dairy cow which will provide milk for my children and surplus for sale.I will use the second transfer to start a grocery business.This will save me from the casual labour I often do which is very tasking and tiresome.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I wake up at 5am and prepare my children for school.After my children leave I head to the nearby forest where I burn charcoal for sale.This is where I spend the whole day.I come back home at around 3 pm and do some cleaning as I prepare supper.This is how my day ends.The happiest part of my day is in the evening.This is because I relax after a tiresome day doing physical work.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Being a single mother of two has not been an easy ride for me.This is the biggest hardship I am currently facing in my life.I gave birth to my first born at the age of 15.This forced me to cut short my education.I have been doing casual jobs which earns me low income compared to the out put.I mostly go the nearby forest to burn charcoal for sale of fetch firewood for sale.This is how I survive to feed my children and pay school fees for them.Charcoal burning is a very risky exercise since we do not have permits to do that.One might get arrested and fined by the authorities.This is why I want to use the transfers from Give Directly to do something else.
