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 ($521 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because my children now sleeps well. This has been possible since I spent part of the transfer to build for them a spacious house. The transfer also transformed my spouse positively. Before the transfer, he was always reluctant to provide for our needs and I was the breadwinner for my family. After I received the transfer and spent it on what we needed most, his attitude changed and has been our breadwinner since then.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly did well by uplifting our lives in different ways by sending us the transfers and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, I spent some amount to build a house for my sons. This is because they had been sleeping in an old house with leaking. Due to this, their clothes were always soaked in rain water during the rainy season. Also, I spent some money to buy two sets of seats. On the remaining amount, I bought some basic needs for my family. I bought enough utensils since the ones I had were not enough, three sacks of maize and other household necessities.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($549 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I bought water tanks using the transfer. This has reduced the workload that I have since going far for water was quite hectic for me. With this, I am now able to focus on farming and so far I am expecting more farm produce.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just woken up when I got a notification that I had received the transfer. I got excited and immediately woke up my family members who were still asleep so they could join me in the celebration.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on purchasing a water tank. I have been facing the problem of having water for both domestic and animal use. We had to travel long distance looking for water and the water that we got was not safe for consumption. I used the other part of the transfer to buy food. We have been affected by drought and hence low maize yields. Sometimes my family could miss a meal in a day. Thanks to GiveDirectly. I have bought 3 bags of maize which is going to feed my family for a while.
Enrolled
access_time almost 6 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
In my village we have a problem of getting clean water for domestic use.We depend on the nearby river which takes me upto two hours to get water.The water is again not fit for consumption since it is contaminated by livestock and people.This poses a danger to our health.When I get this transfers I am planning to buy a water tank and then fix gutters on my roof to collect rain water.I will also connect water which is supplied by the county government at a cost of 5,000 Kenya shillings.This piped water is supplied twice a week hence the necessity of having a water tank.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend most part of the day within my small farm.I look after cattle and sometimes weed maize.This is when I am happy beacuse it is through this cattle that I will get some money to feed my children.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is a police officer whereas I am a house wife.I have seven children and we all depend on my husbands salary.This salary is not enough to sustain all of us and as the children grow older it is becoming harder and harder especially in terms of paying school fees not to mention the basic needs.Our first born joined secondary school this year and the second and third born are both in standard 8.God willing they will be joining Secondary school next year which will be another heavy load.The biggest challenge now comes at this point since I do not have a source of income myself.My dream has always been having a source of income to support what my husband brings in.I hope to start a small business like a shop and I hope the cash transfers from Givedirectly will enable me achieve this.
