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 ($467 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
No, the only goals that I had desired to accomplish were all achieved. One was to start a new business( barbershop) in the village. I am grateful that the business is now running so smoothly with good returns. I am now able to fend for my family with fewer struggles.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did an amazing job in the entire village. Before receiving the cash transfers, the officers made sure that they offered good teachings in regards to the security of our money. This has been of help to us because currently none of us complained about theft or encounter any losses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 27000 of my second transfer starting a new business( a Barbershop). I had been yearning to run it for a long time there was none in my village. For now, the business is doing so well and I can now be able to take good care of my family with ease. To add to that, I cleared school fees of KES 10000 for my two children and buy new uniforms and stationery for them. They have always been at home because of the arrears which seem to be like a routine to them. It has however been affecting their academic performance for all that long. For now, I am seeing a brighter future in them and their generations. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($491 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received the money because I knew that was something that was going to help me address the challenges that I was facing. I knew it was going to raise my standards of living by enabling me to get the things and items I did not have. I was so happy and grateful when I got the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference I can cite in my daily life is the way GiveDirectly raised my standards of living. I can basically say that I was living a very low life with little or nothing to show for it, but ever since I got to be enrolled in this program, my life has improved. I was able to buy a bed, a mattress, chairs, and various household items that I did not have before. I am very happy and proud now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES10000 to buy four hair clipping machines to start a barbershop in our area because it is a good business with reliable customers especially school-going children that have to shave their hair regularly as well as other people too. Also, the maintenance cost of this business is substantially low therefore it is one that can look after itself in the long run due to the high-quality hair clippers I bought. I bought three goats and a sheep at a total cost of KES13000 because I have always desired to have livestock, which is an investment since when they multiply and increase in numbers, I will be able to depend on them. I will be able to sell one or two and address the financial challenges I will be facing.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means good education, medication for my two sons and self employment. I have 2 sons who are 4 years old. At this age, they ready to join school. I am planning to use KES 10,000 to pay school fees for my two sons. One of my sons has a medical condition ( head complications) I planning to use approximately KES 20,000 for my son's diagnosis process. My son's medical condition makes me very sad, sometimes my son can just collapse for more than 30 minutes. Being unemployed, I also want to start a business of selling vegetables in the community. I will use KES 5,000 to build a small house for the business. I will then use KES, 5,000 to buy the vegetables and resell them at a profit. I am also planning to buy a new bed and a mattress for my sons at a cost of KES 10,000. My sons are now old enough to sleep in a separate room. I will save the remaining amount of the transfer for my sons' education as they grow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. It gives me joy to wake up in the morning very healthy together with my two children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life is unemployment. For the past two years, I have been cutting down trees for firewood. I sell the firewood from home. People who own hotels in Bamba town come for the firewood. I earn approximately KES 3,000 per month. With a family of two sons, KES 3,000 is very little to sustain us all for a period of one month. Sometimes, I lack money for medical check ups for my son who has head complications. When my son's medical condition worsen, it is my family members that contribute for me for the medical bills. This is all caused by the lack of employment.
