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 ($493 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it would have been becasue I was able to clear school fees for my children on time. One was on his final year in college and I had no idea where I would acquire the money for him not to go back to school. I am glad the ney came in good time and settled the arrears. He is now back in school ad studying without any disturbances like before. To add to that, I managed to renovate my hose whose condition was not pleasing at all. I had to plaster all the walls and floor as well and it is now decent and permanent. I used to worry maybe someday it would collapse because of the rains but GiveDiectly came in hand.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in almost all the sectors in that the money was unconditional. I had the freedom of choice on what to buy according to yo my heart's desires. This was the best part of it since every household has different types of needs. Also, I do not see any oat GiveDiretcly failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer in buying building materials such as some bags of cement, iron sheets bring on the sand. This was for the renovation of my house since it was temporary. I later paid the mason KES 7600 as his labor charge. Also, I cleared school fees arrears for my children who are in secondary school and college. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food for my family
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was from the daily hustle when my mobile phone started vibrating loudly. This was notifying me of a new message. I quickly checked its content and realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. They had sent me my first transfer as they had promised during the enrolment. I was so happy and knew I would renovate my house finally.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The fact that I managed to renovate my house has really changed my life completely. Previously my house was almost falling because of its bad state. During the winter seasons at night, my children were always suffering from pneumonia due to the cold nights. It was really frustrating me as their parent because I thought I had failed them. The coming of GD had made all these problems come to an end. We are now comfortably sleeping in a better house. Had it not for the GD coming to my village and being among the beneficiaries I don't think if my life would have changed this far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying the following building materials: iron sheets, building poles, threads, and nails. I bought all these with the intension with the intention of renovating my house because it has a leaky old roof and cracks on the walls. Also, I used KES 15000 of the cash transfer in paying school fees for my son. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it I buying enough foodstuffs for the family
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have rental houses which require renovation. The roofs leak during the rainy weather. This has discouraged tenants from renting the houses. My first priority will therefore be replacing the roof and making other renovations. This will cost me $ 500. The money will also help me pay school fees for my children. I have budgeted $ 350 for the school fees for my two children. The remaining money will go into other household needs such as food and clothing.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. After a long day of work in my farm, I get to rest as I chat with friends.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is reviving my business after being robbed at gun point and beaten mercilessly by robbers. This was 4 years ago(2016). This happened at my home at night in the presence of my husband and my last born son who was only 5 years at that time. My spouse and I sustained injuries. This has been torturing me psychologically. I have been living in fear that they might come back another day. Things have never been the same. I have been struggling to pay school fees for my children due to the economic set back.
