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 ($462 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 have been running a small general shop where I sell food items mostly. I have a new goal of expanding the shop and also adding more items which will be accessible hence my customers doesn't have to walk long distance shopping for them.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Givedirectly did well by sending officers to visit each household for enrollment. It was a fair process and we appreciate their generosity. I do not have any negative views.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With KES 30,000 of my second transfer, I used it in constructing a kitchen. I had a small grass-thatched house and it would leak during the rainy season. I am grateful that the house is almost complete and we will soon start using it. With the remaining part of the transfer of KES 20,000, I saved towards the payment of school fees for my daughter who is about to open a school for a new term. I am grateful for the support from Givedirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember very well that it was 3 am and I had woken up so that I would ease myself. When I powered on my phone so that I would use it as a torch, I realized that I had an unread message. I became so happy after reading it and I felt that a burden had been lifted off my shoulders.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I now live happily unlike before as I am now a proud owner of a dairy cow. Since we're experiencing dry season in my region, I currently get 2 liters of milk a day from it and this is enough for our consumption. I believe that it will be calving very soon and we will have enough for our consumption and for sale to earn an income. This will enable me not to depend on one source of income only and I believe that I will be able to meet most of our basic needs on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Buying milk has been my routine and it is usually expensive as I normally spend KES 50 daily on them apart from other things like maize flour. This was only enough for making tea and we would at times take tea without milk when we could not find anyone to buy from. When I received my transfer, my priority was to purchase a dairy cow and I spent KES 30000 to achieve this. Also, I spent KES 25000 to expand my business through buying stock for my canteen. I settled on this since I had been using money from my daily sales to meet our daily needs and I had started running short of some items.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning a business. I have been hawking household goods from house to house and in the markets but I have never owned a physical shop. It is very tiresome to be carrying goods from one place to another which made me wish to construct a shop. Recently, I took a loan and constructed a shop but I have not stocked it because of a lack of finances. I plan to spend KES 50,000 to stock the shop. For the rest, I will pay school fees for my daughter in school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I took a loan and constructed a shop just at the corner of its farm. This was a long-time wish I have been praying for. I no longer hawk goods under the scorching sun for long distances like I used to. I now sell at the comfort of my home therefore I get time to focus on my other household activities.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints are the biggest challenge. I hawked goods for a long time until recently when I took a loan and constructed a shop. Being the sole provider, we depended on this business to earn an income. I make up to KES 8000 a month which goes to paying the school fees for my two daughters in school. I'm hardly left with any money to save or meet other needs.
