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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
School fees have been my major financial problem. I have never managed to pay in time because of my low income from casual work. The little I do get on a daily basis has never been even enough for our basic needs. This is why my children have always been sent home on a monthly basis for fees. When I received both my first and second transfers, one major issue I used them on was fees arrears for my children. I am glad because, from the time I received the first until now, they have never been sent home for arrears anymore.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GD did well in bringing change in the village. The finances we received has brought a lot of positive changes which is a development to us. There is nothing GD did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent my transfer on buying building materials such as iron sheets, nails and timber which I used on building a new iron-roofed house. I have been living in a grass thatched house for the last three years ever I got married. I also used the transfer to buy a cow as an investment for my family which we can sell later when it reproduces so as to avoid begging as it has been the case. Just like the first transfers, I used the second transfer to clear fees arrears for my children. The rest I used to buy food for my family and to save for future use when I have any financial emergency.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the new household improvements that I have using the money that I received. I have managed to put up a house that is better than the thatched-roofed one. It was dilapidated. The one I build is made of iron sheets. I am so glad that my son too has a nice house. Having this means that he is going to be under my watch as he grows up. I am guaranteed my role in parenting him, unlike the time when he had to sleep with many others in a neighbor's house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I saw the transfers I could not believe it myself, my husband had to confirm for us. My children making a lot of noise around me. They were all excited and wanted to see the message for themselves. They were shouting in joy. I then gathered my family on the same day. Led by my husband we all planned for the expenditure together.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
We sat down as a family and prioritized projects that we thought were urgent. As a family, we did build a house for my eldest son. I want to have him around my compound so that he does not spend the nights in my neighbor's house. While here, I can easily parent him. I also bought a sheep, school uniforms and the remaining amount I paid school fees and bought food for my household members.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been dreaming of owning a better house (roofed with iron sheets) and take my children to a better school. We are currently living in a small grass thatched house and I feel I should own an bigger iron sheet roofed house. Owing to this, our living standard will improve and my children will have private room for their studies. Therefore, receiving this money mean I will be able to own a better house and improved education for my children.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I solely depend on casual labour working on other people's farms (digging, weeding or planting) from morning to evening which I am usually paid around 3 USD a day. The happiest part of my day is therefore in the evening after leaving home with some income (of around 2.5 to 3 USD) and being able to put food on the table for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since the year 2009, we have been unable to harvest enough maize for both consumption and commercial purpose due to an infestation by unknown disease. Initially, we used to harvest around 10 sacks of maize in our 1.5 acre of land which was sufficient to sustain us both for domestic use and to meet School expenses. The 10 sacks of maize which we used to harvest was reduced to only 2 sacks which is hardly enough for consumption leave alone meeting the School expenses. Therefore, the biggest hardship has been lack of enough School fees to cater for our two school going children which costs us around 1,000 USD a year.
