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 ($461 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am planning to build an Iron roofed house because I still live in a tiny grass-thatched house built three years ago. This is because most of my transfers were spent on the payment of my late dad's hospital bill.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well to ease our financial burdens. For example, the first transfers enabled me and my family members to reduce our late help to settle my late father's hospital bill. Initially, it was over KES 100,000 but now the balance is only KES 18,000.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent KES 45,000 on a second-hand motorcycle. This was with an intention of self-employment. But unfortunately, one of my debtors came and took it forcefully as a payment for his debt. I, therefore, decided to continue with my welding job where I normally get KES 500 a day. From this, I save KES 1,000 weekly in the village savings group with a plan of buying a motorcycle again once I receive my contributions.
Furthermore, from the remaining transfers.
I spent KES 3,700 on a bag of maize which will sustain me for the next few weeks. I also KES 1,200 on a 200 liter of water container which helps in the storage of clean rainwater. Lastly, I spent KES 1,000 on a large cooking pot which is durable and will come in handy whenever I have visitors.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8pm while asleep after a tiresome day from my welding job, when I heard an SMS alert on my phone.On checking, it was KES55000 from and I was elated and couldn't hide the good news from my family who confirmed to have received theirs too.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is happiness because through the transfers I now own a dairy cow, I am also well dressed and can now sleep comfortably on a bed and a mattress. Before, I used to save towards buying a dairy cow but all the savings would end up in medication of my father who died from throat cancer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES30000 on a dairy cow because we didn't have any in our compound for the past twenty years and have been buying milk from the neighborhood. I also spent KES 13500 on 18 Ironsheets, KES 5000 on other building materials in preparation to build my house. I also spent KES 5000 on bed and beddings because before I used to sleep on the floor. The rest I spent on food and clothing.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a better house for me. I live in a small hut which serves as a kitchen and also a place to sleep. I have never managed to get a wife because when they see my small hut no one is comfortable staying in such a small house. To make it worse I depend on hand-to-mouth jobs making it hard for me to build a new house or upgrade in any way. I plan to use KES 40,000 to build a house, buy a dairy cow worth KES 30,000 since I don't have one, and the remaining I will use to buy beddings, furniture, and clothing's for myself.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Over the last 4 months or so, we have been receiving adequate rainfall in the area. My area has been dry for the last 5 years, usually receives less rainfall across the county. This prompted me to grow maize and vegetables in plenty. I anticipate a bumper harvest in the next 2 months and that will boost me since I will have enough foodstuffs and surplus to sell and have little income.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge I am facing currently is financial instability. I am a casual laborer doing farm works on other people's farms. These kinds of jobs are unreliable. When I get a daily job I am paid KES 250 per day, The money can sustain for 2 days then maybe on the 3rd day you do not get a job meaning you will sleep without meals that day. I have to forego some meals and maximize on this amount to compensate on those days I fail to get a job.
