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
53075 KES ($518 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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What did you spend your second transfer on?
I received the second transfers from GiveDirectly after I had just completed assembling of timber since I wanted to construct a new house in our household. I had a plan to construct a large house enough for all the members of my household since we had been living in a small hut over a long period of time. I had to spend the second transfer on buying a total of 30 iron sheets each costing 700 KES, I bought nails, cement and also paints. I used the remaining amount on paying for the labor and the constructor and also spent the rest on buying foods for the household. We are now living in a decent house which is spacious enough for every member of the household.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Generally, in my opinion, GiveDirectly has really transformed everything in our village and I really can't complain. GiveDirectly has done so much for me and among them is the ability to purchase two goats and a cow and also buy enough food for my family. This must have happened in every household in the village which is a work well done for GiveDirectly. On the other hand, we have been proud of all we have done after receiving the transfers and we have always felt that GiveDirectly is being unfair by not paying us a visit since we really want them to see what we have done. Everyone has been keen to spend the money the right way, keeping evidence alive with the hope that GiveDirectly will come visiting. We are still urging GiveDirectly that they should create some time to come around since we really want them to see the good they have done to us.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before receiving the transfers, our lives were really hard. The whole of my family was living in a single house which was already old. It was leaking on the roof and all we could do was to keep renovating by adding patches of polythene papers on the roof to prevent the leaks during rainy seasons. Food security was still a problem since we always had to work on the casual labors to earn some money which we would then use in purchasing some food. We used to buy everything right from maize, vegetables to also milk since we had no livestock in our household. We are now grateful that GiveDirectly came in and really changed a lot of things. We now have two goats and a cow to milk, we have stocked enough maize in our household and planted enough vegetables on our farm. All these happened within a short period of time after receiving the transfers.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($548 USD)
access_time 6 years ago
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What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer to buy livestock.I bought a cow and two goats.I also bought food for my family.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I received this money that evening,I was preparing to take super with my family. I told my wife who was preparing a meal and she was so happy about it.I was really excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is seeing the animals I bought with the money I received .I am also happy that I get food everyday using the money
Enrolled
access_time over 6 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unable to harvest maize for the past 8 years due to drought is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life. Being a substance farmer, losing such crucial commodity is a huge problem. I've had difficulty in providing stable food to my family and that has made life hard for any productive engagement.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of day because it is at this time that I enjoy a decent meal with my life. We normally skip meals through out the day saving the best for the dinner, and that makes me happy.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a fresh start in my life. I see myself a different person having the capacity to engage in productive work.