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 almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have been able to start new goals and even achieve them. My first goal was to start a business that I have been able to start and I can only hope that it will get better. I was also able to buy 8 goats which can be used for both domestic and can be sold. I also was able to buy a sewing machine which I would use in my business as I am a tailor by profession.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, I think Givedirectly is doing everything well as I was able to start business which would not have been possible.I am now able to get an income and cater to my family needs like school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
During this last transfer, I was able to buy clothes which would be stocked for my business, worth KES.35000. This business has been a dream as it will enable me to be financially stable and provide for my family without a struggle. I was also able to pay school fees for my three children who have not had an easy time when it comes to education. I paid kes.3000 to clear their balance. I spent KES.10000 and put it in my monthly Chama contribution which would get interested when members borrow the money. The rest of the money, KES.5150 was spent on food. I am grateful to Give directly for this opportunity.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($498 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 am when I was on my way back home from the nearby water pan. I had gone to fetch water for my family. I heard a message on my phone upon checking I discovered that I had received the transfer. I felt very happy and eager to reach home to tell my spouse about the good news. He also felt happy and we jointly rejoiced for receiving the transfer.
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 empowered after purchasing my sewing machine and some linen. In addition, I will be able to make school uniforms for my children as well as earn income for myself once I open my tailoring shop. I will no longer depend on my husband for every need of the family. Similarly, I will help him in raising our family when the business is established.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES.17,000 to purchase a brand new sewing machine and some linen since I had the skills in tailoring and I desired to start a tailoring shop. Previously, I was moving from one tailoring shop to another to work whenever I get clothes from my customer. I also used KES 27,600 to start a goat rearing business by purchasing 9 goats. This is a future investment for the family especially my child who is in grade 5 and she will be joining secondary school once she completes grade 6. I will sell the male offspring to educate her through secondary school. In addition, I purchased 2 small mattresses for KES 6,000 this is because my 4 kids were using a small, old worn-out mattress which was not enough for them.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means continued education for my children. This I plan to achieve through poultry farming. I will spend 200 dollars to buy indigenous chicks and build a shelter. As the chicken multiply, I will sell them at a profit and use the proceeds for school fees, uniform, stationery etc. The rest of the transfers will go into purchasing 2 beds and mattresses, 10 indigenous goats and a pair of oxen so I can also expand my farming.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon. This is when I embark on my task of buying poultry from neighbors on credit so I can resell them at a profit during market days. Being that this is where I get my income from to supplement what I get from my husband, I really enjoy doing this task.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is food insecurity mainly because of low rainfall in the area. It's been 3 years since we had ample rain. This has been the biggest stumbling block in achieving education for my children because most of the money my husband makes from charcoal production (40 dollars a month) goes into buying food.
