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 ($440 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 accomplishing what I had planned for the second transfer, I developed a construction goal. I aim to renovate my house once I get some money. The plan is to change some roofing timbers which are not in a fit state as well as construct some pillars to make the house firmer to withstand any kind of whirlwind which may occur. To achieve this goal, I make some savings from my business which I started using the second transfer.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the cash transfer they did to me. Through the transfers, I was able to do some investments. Using the first one, I bought six goats and five sheep while in the second transfer I started a business. I am happy because I had desired to invest in livestock. After all, they do not disappoint in market searching. Before GiveDirectly came, I had no livestock at all, so I am thankful to the organization. This livestock investment will enable me to pay school fees for my children since that was the aim of starting it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving the second transfer, I first bought some foodstuff because it was a dry season, and getting food was a challenge for many of us. Therefore, I bought two bales of maize flour for KES 4800.00, a 25kg sack of rice for KES 2850.00, and some beans. After ensuring that there is food security at home, I took KES 4000.00 and paid all the school fee arrears for my four children plus the current fee which was required. I did this because I was tired of seeing them out of school regularly for the fee issues. As of now, I am happy since the children are well settled in school and undertaking their studies. I also saw it prudent to start a business so that I could have an income-generating activity. Thus, I started a relish business where I am selling some sharks, plus grocery goods like vegetables. I started this business with a capital of KES 5000.00. At first, I was making a trial but of now the business has picked up well. Since I used to cook outside my house because I did not have a kitchen, I decided to construct one. I bought eight pieces of iron sheets for KES 8000.00 and the contractor took KES 3500.00. Constructing the kitchen was vital because, during the rainy seasons, it has been a challenge for me during cooking time. For the remaining amount, I opted to save it for medical emergencies and check-ups since I was pregnant.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($473 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 hearing a message notification very early in the morning before waking up and I took my phone to check because it was so unusual for me to receive messages that early morning. I couldn't believe it at first when I found out that I had received the transfers as I woke my husband up out of excitement to show him the message.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have never owned livestock before and I was the laughing stock of the village because I come from a community which values livestock. Right now, I own nine goats and I at last, have a sense of belonging. My husband was able to repair his motorcycle and get back to work and he's now managing to provide
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband is the the sole provider of the family and he has been operating a motorbike taxi business to earn living. Two months before receiving the transfer, the motorbike broke down and he needed five thousand to repair and he couldn't afford because he had no savings. He opted to look for casual jobs in farms for him to be able to provide for the family. Sometimes, he couldn't get jobs and we would even go the whole day without food. When I was enrolled in the program, my goal was to repair the motorbike so that my husband could go back to work and buy livestock since we didn't have any. I gave my husband KES 5000 of my first transfer to repair motorbike, spend KES 37500 to by nine goats, KES 3000 to pay school fees for my four children and the balance to buy food. I'm now a proud owner of livestock and there is no greater joy than this because I have never owned livestock before.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Livestock is considered a sign of wealth in my community. Not being able to afford to have one is frustrating because I cannot have a voice in groups where people are. For this reason, my first project when I receive these transfers is to buy some livestock. I want to buy 5 goats @ 3000 and 5 sheep @ 2500 summing up to a total of 27,500 KES. I also bought a piece of land that I wanted to build some rental houses but due to lack of enough capital, I had to put it on hold. The remaining 85,000 KES will help me to start that project which will, in turn, bring some revenue since the plot is near a secondary school. Receiving these transfers, therefore, means a good living standard for my family when these projects pick up.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Walking up every day in good health amidst all the daily struggles in life has brought me joy and happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My main challenge is drought, because of lack of rain farming has been a problem. Without it getting things like vegetables and maize has been difficult since I have to buy them at a very high price because of the scarcity. Sometimes it is very frustrating and stressful when I do not manage to purchase things like that due to lack of money.