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 ($490 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?
The transfers empowered me to renovated my house which was grass-thatched and leaking whenever it could rain. I am glad it's now iron roofed and I do not have to worry about the rains. In addition to that, I have a nice wooden bed and a mattress. Initially, I was using the old traditional beds and I was always complaining of some backaches. I will forever be thankful to this Organisation becasue I would not have achieved all these on my own.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion.GiveDirectly does well in almost all the sectors. First, the cash transfers was sent direct into our Mpesa accounts. This reduced the cases of theft and bribery. Also everyone was given the opportunity to choose on what to purchase according to our desires.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying a pair of oxen at a total of KES 38000. This has been my desire for so many years but I could not afford it since they were very expensive. The bulls will be of great help for my farming activities and this assures me of getting plenty harvests. The remaining amount of money I bought enough foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($519 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was doing some laundry and around 6 in the morning then I heard my phone ringing so loudly. Upon checking the content I realized it was an Mpesa message from GD. I was so happy because I knew I would accomplish my heart desires.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am so glad because the transfer empowered me to pay school fees for my spouse. He had finished his secondary education studies thirteen years ago and he was to go for some further studies but due to the poverty life that had stricken my household, we could not afford the fees required. Therefore, he was forced to do some casual labors to meet the family's needs considering he was the breadwinner. I feel there is a relief now because when he completes his studies and get a nice job, our lives will be totally different. We will be able to raise our children without straining like we used to do. And this makes the biggest difference in daily life so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a huge amount of my first transfer on paying school fees for my spouse who was joining the university. He has been staying home for so many years after completing his secondary school education and we could not afford the amount of money needed for him to join the university. The remaining amount of money, am using it in buying enough foodstuffs for my family that would at least take us to some two weeks' time.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire has been to start a reliable source of income but due to inadequate capital, this wish has remained to be a deadly hope. Receiving this money means fulfilling my life desires of starting a food vending point and I intend to spend utmost $200 to do this. This will earn me my daily income that can sustain the needs of my family. On the other hand, I am planning to buy an oxen and ox plough at an estimated cost of $400 inclusively in order to help me upscaling my farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because I usually find myself having more time to relax from my day's chores. Unlike in the morning and afternoon hours when I am busy doing the household chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of a reliable source of income that can support the needs of my family has been my biggest hardship. I purely depend on my husband who is doing water vending job at Mombasa but his income can not fully sustain our needs. I am happy to learn that soon, I will be owning a job that will supplement his income once I receive the cash grant from GiveDirectly.
