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 ($502 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have for a long time dreamt of getting a small piece of land where I can build and live. Only that this required quite some amount of money to actualize that. I had tried doing various casual jobs but one can never make enough to buy a piece of land. When I got the transfers from GiveDirectly, I knew this was an answered prayer. I bought a small piece of land and some building materials. I am so glad and excited that in the coming months, once I get enough materials to build a house, I will soon be living in my own place. This is a dream come true!
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I loved that there was fairness in how the project was run despite the status of different people in the village. I also loved that the transfers did not have any limitations on how to use the transfer. Everything was well planned and executed.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a big percentage of the transfer received to buy a piece of land. I have been staying at my cousin's home for a long time and I had planned of getting my own place to stay. I used the rest to buy some building materials in preparation to build a house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My life is currently different from how it was before in that I have bought a piece of land. Before I used to live at my sister's house and I had no place to stay nor land to build a house in. I had never been at peace since I knew that I would have to look for a place to live in once my sisters last born child attains the age where he can be enrolled in a boarding school. I have always been struggling to do casual jobs to earn an income to meet the basic needs of my children and to save some money. The transfers from GiveDirectly came in handy as it enabled me to buy a piece of land. I am so happy now because I have land and I am planning on building a house. Currently, I am so happy because I have a place to call my own. GiveDirectly has given my children and I some hope and make my dream come true.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was early in the morning after waking up when I realized that I had an unread message. I could not believe my eyes as it was a message confirming that I have received money from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with happiness because I had never received such an amount of money before. I knew that my prayers had finally been answered.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
My children and I had been living with my sister before her death. After she died, her spouse requested me to help him take care of their children that my sister left behind, until when the last born would be old enough to be enrolled in a boarding school. When GiveDirectly came for enrollment and informed us of their aim we felt so happy. When I received the first transfer, I spent KES 45000 to achieve what I had planned before. I bought a piece of land within the village and on the remaining amount, I used it to buy some iron sheets. I am planning on building a better and spacious house for myself using part of my second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When my employer's wife passed on due to kidney failure, I assumed her responsibility to take care of their children. My employer says that I should buy a piece of land worth $400 and spend another $200 to build a house. Receiving this money is the beginning of freedom, independence thanks to land ownership rights.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. This is usually after I am done with wedding corn and can take the rest of the day to rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a trained teacher in Early Childhood Development. When I completed my course in 2016 I was still not happy. Due to pending arrears that I owe the institution, I have since not collected my completion certificate thus I cannot seek employment. My parents are small subsistence farmers and cannot come up with $100 required because they have to support my other siblings' social and academic welfare. Sometimes I think to myself that I wasted two years of my life in school because I do not have anything to show for it. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life.
