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 ($454 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?
Having bought a motorcycle from my second transfer, I now have plans of starting a retail shop and be able to transport the commodities that I will sell with the motorcycle. I already had the plans even before receiving transfers from GiveDirectly but having been boosted by transfers that I received, I now look forward the more to starting it. I had saved some money from casual work that I engage in and the small scale farming that I do engage in as well. I am a father of one child who will join school soon and I am staring at a life of more responsibilities. I plan to Ii mplement this through savings that I make from merry go round contributions
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The fact that everyone within the village irrespective of their background and economic status was enrolled was something that impressed me a lot. The fact that we were not given conditions on how to spend the money also empowered us to make the best decisions we could.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 21000 to buy a second hand motorcycle and used another KES 10000 to buy furniture for my house. The remaining amount was used to complete a house that I had started building from my first transfer. I decided to buy a motorcycle as an asset that will help me in running my retail shop business and help particularly in faster movement of goods. I also did not have enough chairs in our previous house since we highly struggled to make ends meet. I am looking forward to achieving the more
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I am a motorcycle rider and that evening I was still going on with my normal schedule when I received the transfer message. First, I had to stop and confirm if it was true and here it was. I have never spend evening happier than I was that day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is that I have a a specious house and I'm no longer living in fear that it might be blown away by wind. I also have some privacy as a parent.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always longed to build a beautiful home where I would spend time with my family. The muddy grass thatched single room that I was living with my wife and our child was not in good condition. I was living in a fear that I might be blown away by strong winds during the rainy seasons. I am employed as a motorcycle rider and the out of the the KES 500 that I earn per day, I usually give my boss Ksh 300 and I could save anything from the Kenya shillings two hundred that I'm left with. Being enrolled in the GiveDirectly program was a dream come true, I knew I will achieve my dream. I spent KES 29000 of my first transfer and buy iron sheets and pay the mason who was build my two rooms house. I also spent KES 21000 to buy a dairy cow and used the remaining balance of KES 4000 to pay school fees and buy some food.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am employed in motorcycle taxi business as a rider but my wish has always been to own a motorcycle. I separated with my wife a month ago because I was unable to fend for my family. I earn KES 200 on market days but the other days are hard as I operate in the rural areas. I was excited on hearing Givedirectly is visiting my village and it means a better life to me. I want to buy a second hand motorcycle with KES 42,000. This will increase my daily earning by KES 300 hence a stable income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the last 6 months my daily earnings have been consistent. This is because the neighboring villages have received Givedirectly transfers increasing flow of money around here. This has brought me joy as it increased from an average of KES 200 per day to around KES300. It has helped me meet my basic needs and even join a table banking group.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I separated with my wife one month ago due to unreconcilable family differences. My effort to convince her to come back has proved futile because her family is asking me to pay fine which I cannot afford at the moment. Living alone while I was so used to my family is stressing me up and I always feel lonely. Also becoming a laughing stock in the village reduces my dignity amongst my peers.
