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 ($467 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?
I didn't have any new goals that I didn't have before receiving this transfer as what I wanted to achieve were these aims that I had all along even before the coming of GiveDirectly to our village. Settling my children's school fees arrears and taking some money to my son's in-laws so as to foster the good relations between our families and get back my grandchildren and daughter-in-law, were the aims I had been having all along. I was putting in efforts to achieve them with my casual job of cutting trees and selling them to those who need, but it was barely enough and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for the assistance I received was the boost I needed to achieve my goals.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The things that I was able to achieve are what, in my opinion I can say, the things that GiveDirectly did well. I am so grateful for what GiveDirectly to us through its program because I had never before experienced something similar in my life ever since my childhood and it was actually so hard to believe that this could be possible somehow. All went to plan according to me, and there is nothing that is or was done wrong.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 30000 on making partial payment for my daughter-in-law's dowry. I did this because it was something I wanted to do all along but my casual job of cutting trees and selling barely raised enough to make me achieve that. So, when I got the money I made sure I take this amount to our in-laws so that I could get my grandchildren and daughter-in-law back, and my son to have his wife and children with him. This was important to me because they are already part of my family and I had gotten the financial assistance I needed to make that possible, since even though I was managing to take there part of the dowry a little by little, it was making me so sad because it is not right for children to be raised in their maternal relatives home according to our community customs and traditions. They belong to their paternal side and that is where they should be raised, therefore, having them with me here makes me so proud and takes away the shame of my in-laws having to raise my grandchildren on my behalf.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($486 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was so happy and grateful the moment I received the money from the program because I was able to address the challenges that I was facing especially school fees arrears for my son and also got some livestock that I had desired for so long.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that before I used to have a lot of challenges as there was no money and depended on recurrent debts from our local kiosk's to get food for my family. Right now, however, I was able to get food and occasionally and regularly change diet which is something that I could only wish for before I started receiving money from GiveDirectly. I am so happy and grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer which was KES 25000 on buying six goats because they are both an investment and tribute in that from them, I will always remember the assistance I received from GiveDirectly. Also, they will live on to multiply and increase in numbers, unlike something else that could be consumed and be finished. I also spent KES 10000 to settle my son's school fees arrears that I hadn't finished and made my son to be consistently in and out of school. I did this because it is my responsibility, and I not only believe but also know for sure that his good education won't benefit him alone but I'll also stand to gain a lot because when he is employed after school I'll be able to count on him in the future to help me address the financial challenges I will be facing. This makes me so happy and hopeful, all thanks to GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a spacious house to my family. I am now living in a one bed room house which is not enough for a family of five members. I plan to spend KES 40,000 to build a two roomed house to accommodate me and my children. I will also spend KES 20000 to purchase eight goats which do well in our area. The remaining amount will help me to cater for other basic needs such as food, water and emergency.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last six month life has not been easy for family. I am old and still doing charcoal production business as source of livelihood. The job is energy draining and in a month I earn KES 2400 which is so little for a family of six members. Due to this I have been struggling to put food on the table for my household. Last week when I was resting at my house, my village elder informed me that there will be relief food distribution tomorrow at the chief office. I went and received 10kgs of maize and 2 kgs of beans.This brought me joy and happiness because I got food that will take me for one week and spend my proceeds on other basic needs such as water.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge that I am currently facing is food insecurity and water shortage due to prolonged drought. It has been three years since we received adequate rain in our area. This has led to all water pans in the area drying up resulting to anxiety and depression. I am a house wife who rely on casual labour of charcoal production which is labour intensive and the return is not sustainable for a family of six members on both food and water. My earnings of KES 2400 per month goes to food only. Sometimes I sleep without bathing, something that is embarrassing.
