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 ($465 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?
After failing to accomplish what I had planned for the second transfer due to some unavoidable circumstances that I faced, I still hold on to the goal of constructing a house. This is because the house I am having is not stable to withstand the heavy rains that we are expecting, so I plan to source some money so that I renovate it before the season starts.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a great helping work to almost all the people in our villages except the few who were illegible. This act of direct cash transfer enabled us to plan and do things that were of priority to us depending on individual needs. I am very thankful to GiveDirectly because using the first transfer, I was able to buy some goats and also pay school fees for my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer my plan was to construct a good, spacious and stable house since the one I have is not stable enough to withstand the rainy season that we are nearing. But since my son was not feeling well I used the whole transfer in taking him to different hospitals and specialists but unfortunately, he passed on.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($485 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 9 o'clock, I was busy at the workplace preparing charcoal for sale. I received continuous messages on my phone. Being illiterate, I was curious to know its content and I had to leave what I was doing to go home for my helper to verify the messages. The helper checked my phone and informed me that I had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy and I called my spouse to inform him about the receipt and we together rejoiced for receiving the aid.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Seeing my child's health condition improve after undergoing proper treatment is the biggest difference in my daily life. This has stored my happiness and peace of mind since I was always stressed up about how to get the money for his medication. Furthermore, I was able to clear the fees arrears for my children who are still in primary school and I am optimistic that their performance will improve.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent my KES 20,000 to seek proper medical care for my third-born son who was suffering from kidney failure. He was admitted to the hospital and I lacked the finances to clear the medical bills. I am so happy that he is better after undergoing the treatment. In addition, I used KES 12,000 to upgrade my goat rearing by acquiring more goats. This is a long-term investment for my family, I will be able to sell to educate my children as well as cater for any financial emergency. Furthermore, I used KES 10,000 to fund my children's educational needs by paying off their school balances. They had a huge fee balance and were always sent home. This lowered my self-esteem as a parent as well as affecting their performances in school.The remaining amount assisted me in acquiring enough food for my other family of 7 members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My second born has been ailing and was hospitalized for a whole year now. He is suffering from kidney failure which has caused a lot of complications in his body. It reaches a time when he could not do anything even talking. The hospital bill has accumulated because it increases everyday. My yearning has been to take him to a referral hospital so that he can get good medication. Receiving this transfer means proper medication for him. I am intending to spend KES 50,000 on his treatment expecting that he will recover soon and proceed with his studies. Other than that, I will use up the remaining amount on constructing a spacious house because the one we are currently in is too small for my family of 8 members .
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the middle of last month, there is a day I was alone in my house thinking of how I am going to get some cash so that I can by food for my family and sent some cash to my husband and child who is hospitalised. Someone knocked the door and after greetings he granted me KES 2,000 and told me to have it so that it can support me. This brought a lot of joy in my life because I saw it as a blessing coming at the right time.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints is the biggest hardship I am currently facing. I work as a charcoal vendor in the village. The earnings of KES 300 is not enough to cater for all the basic needs such as house and hospital bills. This is the reason I have never been able to seek proper medication for my child who has been ailing for an year now.
