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 ($442 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Purchasing a parcel of land was the main goal that I had, though, I haven't cleared its payment. Therefore, I plan to use the little wages that I earn from my daily wages in paying the deficit in little instalments. I am so happy that GiveDirectly gave me an opportunity for me to uplift my living standards.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has uplifted the lives of my village mates, the organization did well in giving out the unconditional cash where we were allowed to use it according to our needs without asking for anything in return. The staff are friendly and approachable thus I never experienced or saw any loophole in their line of work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon the receipt of my second transfer, my wife and I settled on purchasing a parcel of land. This is because the land that we were living in was small hence we would be forced to rent a place to farm every planting season. We, therefore, used all of our transfers on the land. Though it was never the full instalment, we had agreed with the seller that we would be paying him the remaining amount in bits. I depend on casual jobs for a living, am married and blessed with two children. Purchasing a parcel of land means a lot to my family thus I am forever grateful for the tremendous support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($476 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was happy and thankful after I received a message from Givedirectly bearing the promised transfer by the officers. It was at around 7.15a.m and was cutting timber in my neighborhood for one of my clients and my phone rang only to check and it was a confirmation message of the first transfer.I immediately called my wife informing her about the sam and she was equally excited.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is being rightfully the owner of a land I had acquired but I hadn't paid full amount. I am so grateful to Givedirectly for enrolling me in this project as one of the beneficiaries.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After an agreement with my wife we choose to spend the first transfer that is KES 55000 in paying a land that we had acquired but we had not paid. We are amazed since the land now is ours fully and we no longer receive calls from the owner reminding us to pay. We look forward to doing more with our second transfer.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means an empowerment to own a business. I am employed as a tree logger and I have done this for the last two years. I have amassed a lot of experience in this work and I would like to run it myself. As an employee am paid KES.6,000 monthly but I believe that I should be paid more because we get profits of up to KES. 40,000 in the business but the owner takes a bigger chunk of the money. I appreciate the little they pay me anyway but moving forward I shall use the transfers to purchase a chain saw and a skidder and by that I will be good to go. This will secure the future of my family because I shall be able to acquire more assets and invest also in a timber yard in town where I shall be supplying timber.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I got a payrise at the beginning of the year and my salary increase by KES. 1,000. This gave me a lot if happiness because I saw that my employer is recognizing my efforts.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenge I face mostly is the amount of pay I get from my employer. This work needs a lot of energy and sacrificing own time to ensure that a day's work is done and despite the huge profits that come in we get little money. This money enables us to meet the needs of food and clothing only. I was recently wondering about the future when these children start schooling because more money will be needed.
