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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The goals that I had before receiving this transfer were buying a cow and paying my grandchildren's school fees. I particularly had buying the cow as my priority because it is a livestock and adding to the ones that I already had was something I desired. I know that it is something that has good returns when it reproduces, I'll be able to sell it or the younger ones at a profit.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did so well because through its program, I was able to get the things that I neither had nor could get anytime soon because my charcoal burning and selling business could never ever give me the ability to get them. I was able to get a better house, a cow and pay my children's school fees, all thanks to GiveDirectly. In my opinion, there's nothing that it didn't or doesn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 23000 on buying a cow because it is an investment that I will always depend on even in the future. This is because when it grows I can sell it at a profit as well as when it reproduces, I'll be able to sell one or two of the young ones and address the financial challenges I will be facing at that time. Apart from that, this cow benefits my family too because after reproducing it also produces milk that's food for my family and when there's surplus, I can offer it to our neighbors at a price which will go on to help me meet some of my family's immediate needs. I am so happy and grateful, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($488 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10am when I was on my way home from buying some maize flour from the shop when I received a message in my phone. My heart was insisting me to check on the message what is all about only that I don’t know how to read. No sooner had I reached home than I gave the phone to my husband to check what the message was all about. The content of the message made my day, after knowing that it was the 1st transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy to an extent of ululating.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before GiveDirectly, I was getting it rough in terms of shelter. I had no place I call house, hence I used to sleep outside during dry seasons but the biggest challenge was during the rainy season. But on the very day I received the transfer I made the arrangements and the construction is now on going. I am happy that I will no longer sleep outside and this is through the aid from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I had no house at all, the first thing I thought of was to construct a house. In that regard, I bought 24 pieces of iron sheets, poles and other building materials. Thereafter, I bought some stock to revive my hotel business which had collapsed for a while. I also paid KES 4000.00 school fees for my five primary school children because they were ever sent home for the same. For remaining amount, I used it in buying food and water for the family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a single room house with a family of seven children. The house is unfinished. It has no roof. I just spread worn out iron sheets which makes it difficult to sleep especially during rain season because it leaks. This house is not enough to accommodate all my children. This forces them to borrow shelter from neighbours. My biggest ambition has been to build a two bedroom house that will accommodate my children and sleep comfortably.This house will cost me 40,000 KES. However, this has been a dream that has never come to pass. This is because, I depend on charcoal burning business that earns me less than 2000 KES which is not enough to meet the basic needs of my family. My goal is to build a better house that will restore dignity to my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day begins at 5am in the morning. I usually wake up at 5 am to prepare porridge for my children before they go to school. I then leave home at 5:30am to go fetch water. Due to the prolonged drought, all the dams in our village have dried up. So I walk for about ten kilometres to a nearby town to get water. I then come back at 10am. I attend to house chores, cook early lunch for my children then leave for charcoal burning. I spend the whole day in the bush and come back at 5pm very tired. Upon arrival, I rest a bit then prepare supper for my family. Eating together with my children makes me happy as I refresh my body and soul during our story telling. This makes me long for evenings every day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a stable source of income has been the biggest hardship that I have faced in my life. Imagine being a breadwinner to a family of seven children and without a stable income. This is the situation at hand. Life has been very difficult for me and my family because there are no jobs. My biggest ambition has been to educate my children. However, due to the scarcity of jobs and the prolonged drought, my children are always on and off school due to school fee arrears. I intend to use part of the money to buy 10 goats which survive dry weather conditions that I will sell when they multiply as an investment for children education.
