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 ($468 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Building a better house is the new goal that I didn't had before I received the transfer. I had so many other basic needs to attend to. Though I lived in a small grass thatched house I didn't had the money to buy the building materials so it was not in my list. When I received the transfer I decided to build a better house for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a great work in our village. Every household were being enrolled. They people in my village spent the money in a good way since they were fully trained. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly to build a better and spacious house for my family. We used to live in a small grass thatched house which could not host all my family members comfortably. I used some amount to plough my farm and some to buy seeds. I have planted maize and currently I am weeding the farm. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home enjoying a cup of tea together with my wife when I heard my phone ringing, upon checking I saw a Mpesa notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly, words cannot express how happy I was, I thanked God for the wonderful gift that came my way that morning because I knew that with the cash at hand I would be able to construct a decent which I was unable to build a house due to financial constraints. I am grateful for the support that changed our lives.
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 was able to purchase some of the building materials, with this I am hopeful that when my second transfer arrives I will be able to construct a decent home for my family, this is because the house that we were living in currently was small and grass-thatched, Secondly, I would be able able to harvest rainwater using the iron sheet roof. I am so grateful for the support that changed my life and that of my family
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I used KES 25,000 in buying building materials so that I could construct a house, this is because the one that I was living in was small and grass-thatched, receiving the transfer was a great opportunity for me to upgrade to a better one, I then bought a bag of maize worth KES 3400 so that we could have enough foodstuffs in the house, as we had been buying in small quantities all along from the nearby market at a bit higher prices compared to the bulk we just obtained. I am thankful for the support that has lifted my living standard to a greater level.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It's been in my plans to build an iron-roofed house for my growing family. The current house I have is a grass-thatched house meaning I can't harvest clean rainwater for consumption. Our source of water is far and it's a seasonal river, it's water isn't usually good for consumption. It's also very tiresome carrying water on the back since we don't any other means. I moved to this current place a year ago and I haven't had enough money to build a house. This house will cost me ksh 30000. For the rest of the amount, I will purchase a cow for Ksh 40,000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I'm satisfied that I've fed my cow and assured of that day's milk. At this time I get to rest and plan with my wife.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship has been a lack of finances. I'm a casual laborer earning at most Ksh 2400 per month. This can barely meet the needs of my family. It goes to food and other basic needs leaving me with nothing to cater for other needs.
