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 ($415 USD)
access_time 6 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I longed to create a more spacious and comfortable home for our family, but financial constraints made it seem unattainable. However, upon receiving my second transfer, I made the decision to allocate the entire amount of $550 towards constructing a decent house for us. The previous dwelling was too small to provide adequate space for our family, especially considering our financial instability. I work as a farmer while my husband pursues his studies in college, aiming to become a pastor. Despite his meager stipend from well wishers, usually around $30, we strive to provide for our three children, all of whom are attending primary school. The opportunity to finally build a larger home feels like a dream realized, and I couldn't be happier.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly made it easy for us to realise our goal in no time, this is because we were given the autonomy to use the cash according to our individual needs. Thus far, I haven't encountered any inefficiencies in the process.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, my aspiration is to start a tailoring business and expand my farming activities by cultivating tomatoes. Tomatoes are particularly lucrative in our area since they're scarce and have to be sourced from distant markets. Currently, I don't have any cash on hand, but I remain hopeful and pray that God will provide a way forward for me to pursue these endeavors.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($340 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Residing in a one-room house presented a challenging living situation for my wife and four children. Acknowledging the pressing need for a more spacious and private environment, the idea of constructing a larger house became imperative. This proved to be a formidable task for us, given that my wife and I do not hold steady employment but engage in casual labor on farms. Additionally, I am actively pursuing training to become a pastor, a commitment that consumes a significant portion of my time and limits my ability to work regularly. Our little earnings were insufficient to cover the costs of building a house, meeting our family's needs, and paying our children's school fees. I therefore spent $490 of the transfer on realizing our dream of constructing a two-room house. Witnessing this dream come to fruition has brought immense joy to our family, particularly since our boys are now in their teenage years and require personal space for privacy. I also spent the remaining $60 of the transfer to clear the accumulated school fee debt for my children from the previous term. This was vital to ensuring that our children could seamlessly continue their education without disruptions when schools reopened. The relief of settling the school fee debt was profound, sparing our children from the prospect of staying home while their peers attended school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
We are thrilled to witness the steady progress of our new house construction. Previously, a significant portion of our earnings from casual work was dedicated to saving for the house. GiveDirectly has alleviated the burden of saving for a home, allowing us to redirect all our income towards our children's school fees and family expenses. This financial relief ensures that our children can pursue their education without the constant worry of being sent home due to unpaid school fees. Now, we can gladly focus on providing continuous support for their studies and ensuring the well-being of our family without the added pressure of saving for a house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Upon receiving the message, my husband and I were attending church. It was my spouse who noticed the message on my phone and excitedly shared the news with me. We were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the significant sum of money bestowed upon us by GiveDirectly. We praised the Lord for His grace and even danced in celebration. Our immediate thought was to use the funds to build a house. Currently, my wife and I, along with our four children – three boys in their adolescent years and one girl – reside in a cramped one-room house. As our children are growing into adulthood, it has become necessary for them to have a separate room for privacy. The generous gift from GiveDirectly provides us with the opportunity to improve our living conditions and ensure more comfortable spaces for each family member.
Enrolled
access_time 11 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My four children have had skin desease that has affected them for a month now. They scratch their body and as a result wounds emanate from their skins. I took them for medication at the nearby health center but their condition is still not good. This has affected their education thus they miss classes as a result of this.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I do subsistence farming as my job. In April this year , we received rain and planted cow pease on my four acre piece of land. I harvested three bags of 50kg each . This made me happy since I have enough food to sustain me for approximately five months.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have a family of six members with four being children and we all live in a one room house. The children are abit grown up and I feel there is no privacy. My husband does ministry work at church and he has not started gaining any income as for now and I do subsistence farming with very little income. I will use $300 to add one more room to the house so that children can have their own room. I will also use $700 to build a chicken structure and by more chicken to start poultry farming. This has been my dream for quit long but due to financial challenges I could not start this investment. I already have ten chickens and I feel if I add more then I will meet the market requirement and earn a sustainable income. I intend to make $100 per month. This will help me raise school fees for the children and also buy food.