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 ($524 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?
My life is different from how it was in that, I was able to buy a cow and build a second house which is still under construction. I am glad that when my visitors will come, I would not face embarrassments by taking them to spend the night at my parents' house. I also had one cow but have two now that I used some amount of the transfer to purchase them. It is an important asset that will help me in case of emergencies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly really helped us to meet most of our goals buy sending us unconditional cash transfers. The money was given to us directly not through a second or third party hence there was no corruption.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I had started buying building materials with the first and finished with the second transfer. The construction is going on. I am building a second house for visitors. Before then, when I had visitors, they could sleep in my parent's house. This was embarrassing. I also paid fees for my wife who is almost finishing college. This was a relief because I did not have to sell my farm produce to pay the amount. I finally bought food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($531 USD)
access_time 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 have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it was so costly for me. I do casual in the village and the amount of money I get from this is not enough to gather for all the basic needs of the family. Sometimes we could miss getting casual jobs and my family had to go without milk and breakfast and this was so demoralizing especially when we had visitors in our home. Currently, I have enough milk for my family and I sell the surplus at the market to earn an income to meet other basic needs and also save some amount to pay school fees for my children in primary school. I have devoted most of my time to work on my farm and this has resulted in a good harvest. I am so much grateful for the support from GiveDictely it has changed our living standard.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I felt so happy. I did not hear when the message came. I remember it was very early in the morning when I was taking breakfast with my family and I decided to check my phone as usual and I could not believe my eyes because I have never received such amount of money before. My spouse and children were very happy. We immediately planned on buying a dairy cow.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on buying a dairy cow, I used to buy milk daily and it was so costly for me, I also bought clothes and food for the family members and the rest of the money I bought building materials ready to build a house after receiving my second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I receive the first transfer my first priority is to build a house.My current house is only one room and my family will soon grow and I will require more rooms for the children and visitors too.I want to build a two bed roomed house.I will then buy a dairy cow.The milk that I get from the cow will help me get money to pay school fees for my wife who is in college.The remaining part of the transfers will help me buy clothes and bedding for my wife and daughter.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After having breakfast I feed the cows.I then take the cows out for grazing till noon.In the afternoon I go to my farm where I have grown beans.This is where I spend the better part of my afternoon.I spend my evenings with my friends at a nearby shopping centre chatting and keeping abreast with what is happening in the country.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of school fees.This has really affected my education.It was a struggle going through high school but God helped me through and I was admitted to the University.However it was not the end of my troubles since I was forced to defer my studies for one year now due to lack of school fees.I was halfway through an undergraduate course in Education.My wife is also in college and it has been a burden.Give Directly has given me hope that I will continue with my studies.I hope to go back to school as soon as my wife is through with her course next year April(2020).
