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
55000 KES ($458 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
GiveDirectly enabled me to accomplish most of the goals which I had before I got the transfers. At the moment, I got a piece of land, a good house, a cow, and three sheep. All these were as a result of the transfer which I got, I am glad that I am now set to start my own family very soon. I operate a motorcycle taxi business and the market is flooded at the market and income from the business isn't reliable anymore. My new goal is to start up a retail business so that I would earn profits that would enable me to provide for my family in the few months to come.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did so well by giving us KES 11000, money which was enough to improve our standards of living. I like the way they were doing enrollment in our Village, none was left behind due to their status.
To me, I didn't see anything which GiveDirectly never did well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the second transfer which I received from GiveDirectly, I spent KES 28000 on buying a dairy cow for milk production. I then spent KES 9000 on acquiring three sheep for rearing. For the remaining amount, I spent KES 5000 on buying myself some new clothes and KES 11000 on buying furniture for my recently completed house. I thank GiveDirectly for the financial support which enabled me to improve my standard of living.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 pm and I had just arrived home. I am a motorcycle rider and I had travelled to a far place, that is why I got home late. I had not gotten time to check my phone. It was when I arrived home that I decided to do so. I saw that I had a new message but I didn't bother to open it since I was too tired, I hence went straight to bed. It was until morning when I woke when I decided to read it. I could not believe it when I saw that it was an SMS from my mobile money provider saying that I had received KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy that I lost words to say. I thanked God and GiveDirectly for the blessing which was definately going to change my life a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has brought a big difference in my life. I have been able to get the things that I didn't have before and what I wanted the most. I now have a nice house that is roofed with iron sheets. I was also able to buy a calf that is going to be of great help to me in future when it calves. This way, I will not have to rely forever on being employed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer money on building another house. I spent KES 25000 on doing so. Apart from the house, I also bought a calf at KES 20000 and with the remaining amount, I used it in buying clothes for myself. I had always wanted to construct another house since the one that I am living in is old and grass-thatched. I wanted another one that is roofed with iron sheets. I also wanted a calf so that it could be of great help to me in future when I have a family of my own. The calf will have matured by that time and calved. I will hence be having milk that I can sell and my family can consume. I can also sell the off springs and use the money on other important things such paying school fees for my future children. I haven't been able to do the above since I didn't have the money. I am casually employed as a motorcycle rider and the little money that I get paid for my services, most of it usually goes to the purchase of my clothes and making small repairs on the motorcycle. I am so glad that GiveDirectly came to our village because with the support that they gave us, I now have a nice house to live in and I was able to buy a calf of my own.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means an additional income to me. Depending on my neighbour's motorcycle taxi business for a living is somewhat straining as I have always had to surpass daily targets to have some money to give the employer as well as save. From the days' income, I give my employer KES 300 daily and save the rest. I had already accumulated KES 10000 but unlucky, I was involved in an accident and I used all this savings to cater for the damages caused. Thanks to God, Give directly has come in handy for I intend to use KES 60000 to purchase a second-hand motorbike hence my ambition of owning a motorbike to earn income will come true. I will use the rest of the transfers to build a 2 roomed iron-roofed house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being in a motorcycle taxi business with someone else motorbike is so challenging. Since I began this business in 2019, I have been laid off 5 times. I was delighted 2 months ago when I signed a contract with my current employer to serve him for it was the genesis of a constant income and less stress.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living a single life is so challenging to me. Because of financial instability, I have not been able to get a suitor as most ladies shy aware. Nonetheless, if I acquire a motorbike, I will strive hard to earn income and bring up a family. At times I am not motivated to look for a source of income because I believe I have no serious commitment and this makes me lag, unlike my peers who are striving hard hence this makes me sad.
