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
55000 KES ($484 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?
After completing the plans I had, I developed another goal that I feel once I get some money I will venture into it. This is an entrepreneurial goal. If I manage to secure a good capital I will venture into a clothes selling business. They say we start small and end big, so I will start with a few pieces but with the determination and zeal that I have I will end up having a well equipped boutique.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the organization is very helpful and its strategies of prioritizing on these hardship areas were well thought of. I also love the way it has trained its officers, they treat everyone in the community equally and with a lot of respect regardless of the status the person is, they are very empathetic. My suggestion is that if it is possible, I request the organization to come for another additional two transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the second transfer, I bought a cow for KES 18000.00. The aim of buying this cow is for milk and through it I am sure I will get more cows. I also bought some clothes for my family and some bedding. In the first transfer I had just bought some beds. Thereafter, looking at the hunger situation I decided to keep the rest of the money for the family upkeep because the climate was very harsh in terms of sourcing for food and water.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt great happiness because I got the money that was going to help me. Previously, I could only wish but I had no means to address the challenges I was facing. I wanted to have goats that can provide milk for my family, and now thanks to GiveDirectly I now have goats that will multiply and I will depend on them in the future in that I can even sell one or two and address the challenges I will be facing.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference is the kind of improvement and progress I have made in my life. In the recent past, it was very difficult and almost impossible to get food regularly because there is no regular income, but now we are able to get all three meals a day and we do not have to worry about where we are going to get the next meal from. That is the biggest difference I can see in my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought four goats at a total cost of KES14000 because they are an investment that I can depend on in the future since it is only goats that can survive in this dry climate of our area. Also, goats will multiply and increase in numbers which means that I will be able to sell one or two when I am faced with a financial challenge. Then, I bought two sacks of maize at a total cost of KES3500 because maize is our staple food, buying a packet of maize flour every day is both expensive and time-wasting. I also repaired our motorcycle at a cost of KES5000 which will be helping us fetch water which is very far and at times we have to travel to various places looking for water, therefore , repairing our motorcycle is a huge relief to us.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means self employment for me. I am a tailor by profession. I finished my tailoring course back in 2015, up to date, I am yet to practice my skills. I am planning to use 10,000 Kenyan shillings to buy a sewing machine, 10,000 to buy clothing materials and 5,000 Kenyan shillings to rent premises for my tailoring business. I will be able to earn a living from that business. This will enable me to be self reliant with my family of 3 children. I will then use the rest of the money to buy 3 cows. Cows are a source continuous income for me. Once the cows multiply, I will sell some of them and earn a good amount of money.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the morning. It is in the morning that I confirm my children had a good night and have woken up healthy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I face is scarcity of water in this area. This place is very dry, there is no piped water nearby. On a daily basis, I walk a total of six kilometers to fetch water for drinking and domestic use. When you hire somebody to do it for you, you will have to part with 50 Kenyan shillings per 20 litres which is expensive for me.
