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 ($467 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
check
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I bought a motorcycle on hire purchase terms using my first transfer and I am currently paying KES 200 a day. With this, I can pay for it while still meeting our basic needs on time. Currently, I am planning to start saving some money so that I can later use it to enroll in a driving course. This is because I would love to work as a driver one day where I will get paid either at the end of the day or the end month and also be an employer by giving someone my motorcycle and paying him on commission daily.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving out financial aid to poor people in society. With it, people are able to achieve their goals in life since before the money is sent to them, they're educated on the importance of planning before spending. I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to live in a small portion of land that I had been given by my grandmother to build a house instead of renting it at the shopping center as I struggle to buy mine. I had not been able to achieve this since one can barely save money when he is buying all the foodstuffs, has school fees to pay, and depends on any available casual work. I am happy that the transfers from GiveDirectly enabled me to achieve this as I was able to spend KES 44000 on the purchase of two points of land. In addition, I spent KES 5000 on two three-seater seats since we did not have any and used the remaining amount on food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($490 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That early morning,I had gone to till my land and upon coming back home, I checked my phone and I saw a notification message and when I opened,it was a receipt of my transfer from Givedirectly. I was so happy and I thanked God since this transfer came when I needed it most because my sister had been sent home due to school arrears.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the fulfillment of clearing school fees for my younger sister.I am so much at peace since I know her future is bright which gives me happiness.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the initial plans I had,my priorities had to change after receiving my first cash transfer.With Kshs.7,500 I used to clear remedial fees and bought a rhyme of papers that were required for my sister.Am now happy that she is settled in school for the entire term and she can catch up on what she had missed when she was away.With Kshs.5,000 I was glad that I could enroll for a driving course which I am currently doing and about to finish.With the remaining amount of Kshs.37,000 I bought a boda boda that I will use to start business once I finish my driving course.With this I will be able to carry out my daily business hence getting an income to sustain my family.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always had the desire to be self employed because right now, I do casual jobs. I take care of other people's cattle and this means that I have to be far from my family for some time and also the amount of money that I earn is less. I plan that with this transfers, I will set up a shop at the nearby centre so that I can get some money to support my family and also save. I will also use the money that I will get to pay school fees for my brother who is in secondary school because I am his guardian.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Afternoon is the happiest part of my day because this is the time that I get to interact with my peers, share our ideas, problems that we face and offer each other solutions.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I have faced is having lost my mum at a tender age. My mum was a single mother and raised us alone. I have had to step in to educate and take care of my siblings with the casual jobs that I do. This is a bit difficult because I cannot meet all their needs with the money that I get and at the same time take care of my family.
