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
53200 KES ($480 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfer in that I was able to pay hospital bills and take my daughter to deliver at the hospital. I depend on farming and because our area is semi-arid there is no good harvest. I had no extra money, taking my daughter to deliver at a good hospital was almost a nightmare to me . I was so worried I didn't know where to get the money. I had no peace of mind. There was no money to buy food and clothes for the new born baby. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy. I knew God has answered my prayers. I was able to sleep well because I knew I would be able to take my daughter to a good hospital. When that time arrived I took her to hospital early enough, the doctors were able to attend to her and she delivered safely. I bought clothes for the newborn baby and all the necessities. When she was discharged I hired a car and bring her home. I bought enough food for the family. I am so happy because all this process happened so well and I have peace of mind.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well buy giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and buy dairy cow. I do not fine anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend the money to purchase food and clothes for the family. During that time when I received my transfer, there was no food in the store, I purchase some sofa set seats. Whenever I have visitors they have a good seat to sit. I bought fencing were and fenced my compound. This is to prevent cows from destroying my crops. I pay hospital bills for pay daughter who gave birth.
For the rest of the money, I bought one goat. This is my investment because cows reproduce faster and help whenever there is an emergency. I am so happy for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our lives.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a great feeling receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly. This is one moment I had been looking forward to after enrolment as I had a lot of plans for my relieve my daughter who had been working so hard to see me happy. I really thanked God when I received and ensured that every coin counted in the projects I had in mind. Charging the phone and keeping the house lit is no longer a problem as the battery and solar we bought are working so well for us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the availability of enough food in my household. I was much dependent on my daughter who had been working so hard to fix everything right from the farm work, livestock, and also household chores as she ensured that we find our daily food. It was not always smooth as we have gone some days without any food. Living with a disability has never allowed me to get off my wheelchair so that I can also try some work. I am now grateful to have received the transfer as a lot has now changed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After receiving the first transfer, I spent 15000KES on the lighting system as I had been using an old kerosene lamp that would emit a lot of sooty fumes. I secured a wet-cell battery and a solar panel that came with several light bulbs. With the remaining amount, I obtained a new piece of furniture with medium-density cushions. I also managed to obtained foodstuff and clothing for my children and saved the remaining to be checking on other household needs
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am physically disabled due to a certain syndrome that paralyzed my legs and so I cannot be able to walk nor stand on my own. I depend on my kids to fend for me and so receiving this money means a lot to me in the sense that I will finally be able to create a source of income to cater for my needs. I intend to buy one dairy cattle for 30,000 shillings to supplement me with milk and sell the surplus to local customers on a regular basis. I will then keep the rest of the money to cater for my medicine( majorly antibiotics) and food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being paralyzed on my legs and rendered inactive, I spend a chunk of daytime on my chair while reading the Bible. The happiest part of my day is in the evening when neighbours come visit me as I share with them the word for the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In the year 2007, I started feeling leg joint distress and I brushed aside thinking it was as a result of work intensity. This continued to a level where I was walking but in pain. I decided to go to the hospital to have a check on it but the scans revealed nothing. Days, months and years went by without no success of finding the real cause of this distress. I shifted gears to traditional medicine but still they could not find any cure. Now I am paralysed and only taking antibiotics to ease the pain. The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is having to live with a condition that medics have not been able to find a cure.
