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
55000 KES ($450 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Right now, I want to increase my return on investment by getting more goats. As a result, I won't have to struggle to pay my fees. When the time comes, it will be simpler to translate a goat into money. As a result, I am unable to specify a certain timeframe for adding the goats, but whenever I receive funding, this will be my top priority.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Receiving funds from GiveDirectly has had a significant impact on my life; our standard of living has improved to one that is higher and more admirable. Without engaging in any discrimination, the enrolment process was made. I have not personally observed any instances of poor execution.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
By the time I received the second phase of the GiveDirectly transfer, my four primary school children were two days out of school due to examination money and fee arrears amounting to $80. Therefore, I made it a priority so that they could go back to school before it was too late. I sent the $80 to the school and they happily resumed classes. This gave me joy because I had no means of taking them back to school; thanks to the second transfer from GiveDirectly. After that, I settled down and decided to invest in livestock. I bought six goats for $250. I choose goats over cows because of the climatic condition in our area which is very dry. Goats can survive in harsh climatic conditions compared to cows. I also started a business of selling sardines to keep myself busy since I am very old. The aim of starting the livestock investment was to assist me to provide for my family because goats can be exchanged for money easily. This investment has made me take a rest from the tiring job of making and selling charcoal which I was relying on yet it was unreliable. To some extent, we went without food for two days a week. I used the remaining amount to buy some food. Currently, I am very happy because since I received the second transfer, my family and I have been getting some food on daily basis.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Happy bomu
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Was difficult
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Kitanda
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I do not have a proper structure as you can see. My house is doorless, one wall has already during the last rainy season, and the floor isn't done either. I'm always scared in the night a lot because this place is located near a national park and there are seasons when wild life come out and roam in the villages. Again the wall that is down is also exposing us to adverse weather conditions in the night as well as permitting mosquitoes into the house. When I get this money I will change all that by improving my house. I will buy two pieces of iron sheets to complete the roof, buy a door and renovate the walls while reinforcing with concrete. I think this project might cost up to 50000 KES.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest time within that period was around July last year. During this time there was a lot of customers because the festive season was just beginning. We worked around the clock with my husband to improve production of charcoal hence profit. This paid off giving us a lot of ease in paying out bills like school fees for the children as well as keeping them fed. I long for another season like that when my husband health has improved.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I currently afford my children's school fees with a lot of struggle. My husband is just burning and selling charcoal but at the moment he has a serious cut on his right arm which has made it impossible for him to continue with the work. At times like this we normally run out of money completely and children get sent home a lot for school fees. I have three children who are attending primary school paying total fees of 1000 KES termly. It pains me a lot whenever they have to sit around here sometimes even for a month because of lack of school fees.
