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 ($431 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I intend to buy furniture for my house and a television by June this year . I want my house to also be neat like those of my friends . I want visitors to be comfortable when they visit me . I need approximately $1100 for this . My husband is already saving from his salary to ensure that we achieve this .
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give Directly has done good things to all of us . You have given us unconditional money . We have done several projects with this money . I have bought a bed , a mattress and a water tank , thanks to Give Directly . I encourage you to keep it up . May you also help others too . There is absolutely nothing to improve .
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have no stable source of income , but during rainy seasons , I keep myself busy in the farm practising subsistence farming . We just depend on my husband for upkeep. I can't forget , it was on a Thursday night when my son showed me the message on my phone . I had finally received the second transfer . I was overwhelmed with joy . I knew most of my problems would be solved . I have 5 primary school going children , they had school fees arrears of $100 which I cleared . I had always wished to own a cow like some of my neighbours , so I spent $200 on 1 heifer . I hope that through artificial insemination it will get pregnant quickly , so that I start enjoying it's milk and even sell some . Later I can sell them and pay school fees for my children . I also bought a water tank of 4000 litres worth $100 , I'll be using it to harvest water during rainy seasons . There was no food in my house , so I bought 3 bags of maize worth $75 ,I also bought utensils worth $20 .
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($466 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember well that evening the transfer notification came. I was busy in the kitchen cooking and my GiveDirectly-issued phone was not far from me. I heard a message alert and on checking who the sender was, I was greatly overjoyed when I learnt it was a Mpesa message. I had finally received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. When supper was finally ready, I broke the news to my family whom we celebrated together as we planned for it.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having new beddings to sleep on is the biggest difference in my daily life so far. The struggles that we have gone through as a family despite my husband being a school teacher were unbearable. My husband’s salary could cater for basic needs like food and fees only. I could not afford to replace the old bed and mattress that I have been using for many years. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because, through the money, I purchased a new bed and a mattress and replaced them. I can now afford to sleep comfortably on my new beddings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a housewife relying on my husband’s monthly salary since he is a school teacher. He is the family’s breadwinner and at times he is overwhelmed by the family’s financial needs. All our five children are in school and raising the fees required has been a challenge. However, I am at peace because when I received the first transfer, I was able to pay their fees and are now in school. In addition to this, I also felt that being a housewife alone is not enough, I needed an investment that I could at least depend on. I thus purchased 4 goats that I am currently keeping. I’m expecting them to reproduce and increase in number. I can readily sell the offsprings and settle dire financial needs. Apart from these, I also used Ksh. 10000 to purchase a new bed and a mattress and replaced the old beddings that I have been using for many years.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have 5 children who are still in primary school. Since I desire to see them excel in their studies, my wish is to ensure they get ample time in class to achieve good results. To ensure this is possible, I intend to use my first transfer, 55000 KES to pay off all the fee arrears and also to buy some goats that will support them in the future once they join secondary school. The remaining transfer (55000 KES) will aid in acquiring other basic needs like beddings to replace the old ones which do not give us nice sleep. Also, it will help us to buy food and clothes. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last 6 months, my husband has been so consistent in supporting us with food. This is something that I can not take for granted because it is a privilege. Since my children can get 2 meals in a day, it has given me great relief and thus, this is what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine at this point in life, I am still dependent on my husband. Simply, I am a housewife! This means I do not have any freedom to do what I desire in my life since I have to seek help from my husband. This has affected my self-esteem as a mother because I can not afford to help my children without the support of their father. Therefore, I consider financial instability as the main challenge that I am currently struggling with.