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 ($452 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?
While also working as a secretary at a nearby school, I am currently pursuing a secretarial diploma course. Unfortunately, I was forced to postpone due to financial difficulties because I am currently paying off a debt and I also have a son in school. Since I will probably pay off the debt before the end of the year, my goal is to resume my studies and finish my education. With the necessary academic papers in hand, I will have a better chance of being promoted or possibly landing a well-paying job. This will enable me to provide my child with the greatest education.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The concept of supporting those who reside in the village was excellent because the majority of residents were struggling due to the lack of economic activity. I must admit that academic achievement and the school enrollment rate have improved because I work at one of the village's schools. The majority of the students who had left school because they could not afford the tuition fee were re-enrolled courtesy of the Give Directly transfers. However, the organization must avoid delaying transfers for the entire village while conducting an inquiry as this would be inconvenient for people who had budgeted with the funds. They ought to just postpone the transfers of the impacted victims.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We had a brick building under construction before getting help from Give Directly, but we had to stop because we were out of money. It was a dream come true to get the money because it would enable us to finish the construction. As a result, we completed our house by borrowing $500 from a coworker who was a beneficiary of Give Directly, adding it to our first transfer. We completely repaid the money we had borrowed when we got the second transfer. Everyone wants a solid, stable home, so we are happy and glad to have one.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($459 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 6 in the evening when I was preparing dinner for my family when I heard my phone ringing so loudly. Since I was held up, I decided to ignore it and proceeded with the task I was handling. A few minutes later, there was another message popped in. I, therefore, opted to check. I was shocked to learn that it was from Segovia Technology, informing me that I had received my first cash transfer. I was overwhelmed with joy and felt hopeful knowing that I would finally go back to college.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now ambitious and hopeful. The fact that I was able to go back to school to pursue my secretarial course has brought a huge transformation. Initially, I was hopeless because I had no idea when I would get the needed fees. I was forced to seek casual jobs to fend for my seven family members together with my spouse. I used to earn a very low income which could barely sustain our basic needs. I am therefore confident that after graduating I will be able to grab well-paying jobs which I trust will change my living standards. This will eventually eradicate all our financial problems together with my generation. I am so thankful to GiveDirectly for finally restoring my joy and hope in life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 42000 of my first transfer on purchasing building equipment such as bags of cement, and sand and the labour charges. This was for the completion of my permanent house which was under construction unfortunately I was stuck at some point because of insufficient funds. The initial one was not my dream house, also it was not spacious enough to accommodate all my seven family members. I am so thankful for now being able to achieve my goal. Additionally, I cleared my college fees of KES 13000 and finally was able to continue with my studies. I was so demoralized and felt that I would be forced to quit because I did not have the required amount of money needed. I am happy to see myself back in school which is a promise of a brighter future.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I got a loan and started building a 3 bedroom rental house but I was stuck because the money I had planned to finish the house was used to cater for my medical expenses after I got an accident with a motorcycle.
Receiving this money means I will finish construction of my rental house so that i can earn rents from tenants.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband got an accident November 2020 and was hospitalized for 3 months with a fatal injury. When it reached October last year 2021, my husband was released from hospital well recovered and for this I had to plan for a party to celebrate for his recovery. This brought joy and happiness to my family because I never thought that my husband will walk again in life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The current challenges I have is luck of finance to complete building my rental house. If I finish building this house, it will be a source of revenue to me because I will rent the house to the nearby secondary school workers and will be getting rents from my tenants.