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 ($475 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Yes, I want to improve the condition of my house since when it rains heavily the roof leaks everywhere making it hard for me and my family to sleep or even stay in the house. I also want to buy food for my family. The drought conditions we are currently facing make it hard for us to grow anything on the farms. I also want to pay school fees for my children and also grandchildren who are in school.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well in ensuring that it supports the vulnerable members in the family by giving them support which is in form of money. The money we are given can uplift our lives
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all the money on medication. Weeks before receiving the money I started feeling ill. I visited the chemist took some over-the-counter medicine but it did not help me as such and everything became worse for me. I lost my hearing sense, I was no longer able to walk, became very weak, and even could not talk properly. So when I received the money I decided to use it for my medication. I visited the general hospital in Kilifi for medication and was even admitted. I am grateful that I am now getting better but still not out of danger.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in my home relaxing since I am unable to work because of my old age. I vividly remember it was around 9 o'clock when I received an Mpesa sms carry my transfer. My helper was at home and I called her to confirmed in the account. I was surprised as well as relieved after being inform that I had received the transfer. I felt very happy for receiving the transfer since I was confused on wheret to do to settle the debt.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now a happy person after completing the payment of the loan that I have borrowed to start livestock rearing. I was constantly receiving threats from the Bank concerning the unpaid debt. Currently, I am living a stress-fees life after settling the debt something that had t the peace of mind. Furthermore, my kids are learning without any interruption after paying their school fees in full.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 20,000 to support my 2 children's educational needs. They had completed secondary school and are about to join collage but I lacked the financial capacity to advance their studies them. In addition, I used 20,000 to settle a debt that had been borrowed from a microfinance bank to invest in livestock rearing an activity that I depend on to upkeep my family. I also purchased proper beddings for KES 6,500 this is because I was sleeping on the old, worn-out mattress which was not comfortable. The remaining amount assisted me to purchase enough food staffs for the family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Having a safe and a decent house has been my desire for years now. My current house is old and unsafe, this make makes me feel insecure to live in.The moment I receive the first transfer, I will renovate my house to a more secure standard. For the second transfer, I will invest it in a livestock production business. I will buy goats and start keeping them in one of my farms. In a about two years , the goats will have increased in number and I will start selling some of the goats thus earning me income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiest part of the day is in the evening. Having been in my farm farming from morning to afternoon, it is in the evening that I get to rest and relax together with my wife.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I used to work as driver in a company for fifteen years. Unfortunately, the company ended my contract and denied me my savings I had saved for that period. I spent a lot money to hire lawyers so that they could help me in getting back my savings but all their efforts failed. I was left with nothing, the money I could use to invest, I used it to hire lawyers. Up to date, I have never recovered economically. I can say this is the biggest hardship I have ever faced in my life.
