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 ($438 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?
I do not have any new goals for now since I am currently working on an ongoing project (the construction of a permanent house). I am soon hopeful that I will be able to shift to my new house which will be a relief to us as a family because for years we have been living a miserable life. Our house had a dilapidated roof and it was not spacious to accommodate my whole family. I am thankful to GiveDirectly for this huge support which has empowered me enough to own a permanent house.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly is the best organisation I have ever heard of so far. This is because of the uniqueness of how it operates. The idea of offering us an unconditional cash transfer shall always remain to be the best to me because I had the opportunity to accomplish my heart's desires. I, therefore, do not see anything that GiveDirectly did wrong, all went well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on paying the pending bills for the freshwater installation in my homestead which coated almost $50. I am so glad that I will no longer have to trek to the dams to fetch water like before which was so tiring and time-consuming. Also, I bought building materials for a total of $400. I intended to build a new permanent house because the previous one was a temporary muddy hut. It was so annoying especially when it rains my properties would get damaged besides being small. All my five children have been sheltering at their grandmother's house which was quite far from our compound. I, therefore, felt there was a need to transform this miserable condition by constructing a permanent spacious house. I am so glad that in the next two months, my house will be complete and I trust that all the troubles shall come to an end. To add to that, I paid fees for the five children who are still in primary school. I am happy that I received the cash right on time because they would be sent home if it were not for this support. five children. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my eight family members and decent clothes for the children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($460 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had finished preparing dinner at around 7:30 when I received two messages on my phone. I decided to check who it was since it was so unusual. I couldn't believe what I saw, it was the long await Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and felt like it was a dream. I had to call all my family members so that we could rejoice together and plan the same.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have livestock ( goats and chicken) that I am rearing in my compound. It has been my daily prayer to own either of them but I couldn't afford them because they were relatively costly. I, therefore, settled for them because goats, reproduce and mature very fast. In the few months to come, I am optimistic that I will have many of them. They will be of help specifically in paying fees for my six children who are in primary schools. Currently, my spouse is the breadwinner and has been depending on meagre jobs. My children were therefore always at home because of the fees arrears. Having these assets is an assurance that my children will study comfortably without any hindrance. Apart from that, whenever I will be experiencing any financial constraints, I will be able to sell one or two and settle the problem.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a portion of the first case transfer to buy goats and chicken for a total of KES 7000. I have desired to have them but I couldn't afford to buy any at my cost. Additionally, I bought school uniforms for my five children who are in primary schools. The initial ones had worn out and this condition has been lowering their self-esteem. Also, I spent KES 16000 for freshwater installation in my homestead. Before then, I have been fetching from the dams which were very far from my home. I feel there is a relief because I will no longer complain of back aches. Also, I had to buy new beddings and I am so happy that I am sleeping in a conducive environment. I am also planning to construct a new house and I had to buy a few building materials. The current one is in a poor state and small in size. With the remaining cash, I have been buying food for the eight family members.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I built my house in a swampy area. Whenever the rain season comes, we are surrounded by water. This problem has remained affecting us for more than 2 years. The land we bought is swampy and we have no option but to survive on this problem during the rain season. Receiving this transfers will mark the end of this problem because I will buy another piece of land on a raised ground, rebuild my house and live happily.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband came home from another town where he works in January this year, he brought me presents after I had got my 6th child. What brought Joy and happiness to me is that despite the food Items he bought for my family, he also bought new clothes for me and my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The rain season has started and my house is under the swamp. This is the greatest challenge to me because my children will suffer from malaria despite my hard effort of my family sleeping in a mosquito treated netes, but the surounding water act as a breeding sites for the mosquitos. Malaria is an order of the day in every rain season in my house.