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 ($524 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After building a new kitchen using the first transfer, I had to renovate the main house. I fixed my door and the wall and bought new chairs for use. Previously I had one small chair which was quite small and whenever I had visitors, I was forced to borrow some chairs from my neighbors. The biggest difference, therefore, is the fact that my house looks neat and I can welcome visitors comfortably without necessarily having to borrow chairs around. I am glad we live a more comfortable life now compared to before, more so that in a few weeks, my son would have his own room ready. I am also glad that my daughter won't be sent home for school fees giving her ample time to study. This, as a parent, gives me joy.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I loved that there was fairness. No deserving person was left out and everyone was given the same amount of the transfer. Evrything was done accordingly and I loved it.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of the second transfer to buy building materials to build my son his own house. My son was recently initiated into adulthood and he has been staying with us in the same house. This, in my culture, is not ethical to have a man sleep under his parent's roof, and besides that, it would be less comfortable for him if he continues sleeping in the same house as us. I want him to have his own space where he can study and sleep with minimal disturbance. I spent the rest of the second transfer to pay my daughter's secondary school fees.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that for the first time in my life, I will be cooking in my iron-roofed kitchen, after using a grass-thatched hut for many years with no hopes of upgrading. Considering the financial hardships I had, I was left to persevere the pitiable condition of my hut which was slowly weakening due to walls cracking and grass roof peeling off. I used to make meals for my family from my in-law's house whenever it rained as my kitchen could get flooded with the rainwater. This habit made me desperate and I lost my self-esteem in society. I had longed to build another kitchen but my hopes were slowly fading away since the scarce resources could not allow me to realize my goal. I am happy and thankful to GiveDirectly because, for the first time, I will be cooking under an iron-roofed kitchen courtesy of GiveDirectly.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was a few minutes to 6 am when I heard a message alert on my phone. Since I was awake, I decided to check to know its contents. I felt so happy upon realizing that it was a confirmation message that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I knew that I would be able to boost my life using this money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to buy some building materials to use in building a spacious and decent kitchen. I settled on this since the one we had was dilapidated and its roof was always leaking during the rainy season. Also, I bought three three-seater seats since I did not have any seat in my house hence I always had to borrow them from my neighbors whenever I had visitors. I spent the remaining amount on farming. I bought some maize and beans seeds and hired a tractor to till my farm. I am happy that I have good crops on my farm and am expecting better yields.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money is to me an assurance that once my child who is in secondary school completes,I will be able to pay for her college fees.This is because with this transfer,I will be a dairy cow at ksh 35000(usd 350 ) and with this,in three years as my child completes it will have multiplied and I can sell them to send her to college.The milk proceeds will also help me meet the daily needs of my family
What is the happiest part of your day?
The challenges that raising a family alone pose each day are many.Am often worried that I may not be able to provide for my family.Am happiest in the evening because this is the time that I have completed my tasks for the day and have been able to provide for that particular day.This to me is a great achievement
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have continued to face is raising school fees for my children.Being a single parent of five and the sole breadwinner,all the weight of ensuring that my family feeds,is clothed and educated is all on me.This is often difficult bearing in mind that I do not have formal employment where am guaranteed an income hence I fully depend on my maize farm to produce enough to eat as well as sell.This has not been the case for some years now where we have faced prolonged dry seasons and crop diseases that have hindered good harvests.