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 ($467 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?
For the past month, I had been looking around looking for a business opportunity as one of my goals in this year's resolutions is to start a small business. At the moment I have been able to settle on the cereals business that I will be supplying to the immediate community from the prolific producers of maize in the nearby sub-counties. Maiz e farming in our community has been performing poorly a severe disease that specifically attacked and paralyzed maize farming. I am hoping that I will soon venture into it with the hope of keeping it running to sustain my family as an income-generating source.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Almost every household in our village has a new house that was constructed just after the receipt of the transfers. This has completely changed the face of our community, brought an equal appearance, and improved the living conditions after the demolition of the old grass-thatched huts that were all over. In my opinion, the direct visit by GiveDirectly and talking to every individual enhanced commitment by everyone to ensure that they deliver in what they had enlisted during enrollment. I am happy that all community leaders never influenced the process and everyone that was visited and enrolled finally received the transfers. I have no complaints at all but am thankful for the great work done by GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After all my sons and daughters got married and moved out to start their families, I was left with my last born currently schooling in grade10. Life has not been that hard for us since we had been getting frequent support from the other children whenever they visit, and the only challenge I had been facing is the payment of the school fees. The first transfers enabled me to clear all the arrears I had and I am glad that KES 15000 out of the second one cleared the current term as well. My son is currently comfortable in school, studying without any disturbance for the whole term. I also managed to complete the construction and furnishing of the new house and a kitchen that I had initiated with the first transfer. I bought and fixed the door that was still missing at KES 8000 and also equipped the existing furniture with the cushions that I bought at KES 7200. I also bought a sack of maize with KES 3700, clothing at 4300, spent KES 5000 to obtain a goat that I am currently rearing, gave out KES 4000 for the church construction, and used the remaining amount on sorting other finer household bills. I am glad that I was able to stick to my plan and accomplish all that I had enlisted before receiving the transfer.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was still early in the morning when I received the transfer that I had eagerly been waiting for as we had been promised that we would receive them before 20th August. I became so happy after confirming the good news as I knew that I would finally be able to fulfill what had seemed impossible before with the cash at my disposal. I thanked God for His blessings and we celebrated the good news all day by cracking some jokes and reminding ourselves of where we had come from.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have made a major step in life and I feel that I am at the same level as other people in the village since I am continuing with the construction of a decent and spacious kitchen for my family. Due to this, I am happy that I will no longer be making our meals from outside and I will cease being the talk of everyone in the village. Owning this kitchen will not only be my source of pride but also joy knowing that I am making our meals in a clean environment free from any contaminations that might cause diseases.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having a decent and spacious kitchen had been my desire since I did not have one and when I received my transfer, I spent KES 25000 on the purchase of a doorframe, two pieces of windows, enough poles, and 15 pieces of iron sheets. I am happy that the construction has already started and I will be able to start using my new kitchen very soon. In addition to this, I spent KES 10000 to pay school fees for my daughter who is in secondary school to avoid her being sent back home and spent KES 13000 on medical expenses for my son who had been involved in a motorcycle accident and I am happy that he was able to get the needed treatment. Using the remaining KES 6000, I bought one sack of maize and other foodstuffs for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I intend to build a kitchen house .For now I stay in one house and it is not good for me since the smoke make the house uncomfortable for abode. The clothes also picks the smell of the smoke. I have always wanted to own a kitchen house and this is a perfect moment to build one . The cost of the kitchen house will cost me approximately USD 3500. The rest of the money will go towards the purchase of a dairy cow .
What is the happiest part of your day?
Iam a casual labourer. Every morning I set out to do these menial jobs .My happiest day is in the evening when I have finished my work and relaxing in my home .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Since my husband passed away I have been living as a widower. It is not always easy to fend for the family by a single parent . I have been struggling to provide for my family and to pay for the school fees.
