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 ($522 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 currently different from the way it would have been had I not received the transfers. This is because I managed to buy livestock with the money GD gave us. I chose to buy livestock because they are easy to manage and I pray that the livestock will grow and reproduce because it is through them that I will be able to do other projects and goals that I have always wanted to achieve in life. This is because in the future after they have given birth I'll sell the calves in order to raise money for meeting these needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GD does well by letting people decide on what to spend the money on. I think it is the wisest decision ever and other projects should follow suit. It makes a lot of sense because it is the individuals who know where the shoe pinches them most, therefore, we have the best solutions for our problems. I feel the organization empowered most of us by giving us the cash transfers because we were able to solve most of our problems through their help.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I had a weak door which was so risky because I feared that anyone could break and get to my house whenever they felt. I, therefore, bought a steel door with a larger portion of the money. Part of the money I spent on goat for rearing because goats reproduce twice a year thus I believe that by the end of the year I'll have close to ten goats. My children too had not cleared their school fee so I paid for their school fee so that they couldn't be sent back home for school. This has also given them ample time for their studies. I also bought them school uniform each to replace old worn out ones. In addition to that, my business premise was in bad condition so I bought some building materials which I used to renovate it. I bought food with a portion of the money and saved for future use.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my life since I received this transfer is that I was able to own cows which I have been my dream for three years now. It has been my dream because I knew most of my financial problems will be solved by this kind of investment. I know I will keep the cows and later sell then in time of other financial needs so that I do not struggle to get money. I thank GD because I am also considered rich in my community. This is not how I expected it to be. Thank GD.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was in the night when I was woken up by my phone's notification. I was very reluctant to check the message because I never considered it important. I was urged by my husband to check the message and to my amazement, it was money. I was very happy and could not believe my eyes. I knelt down and thank God for the blessing from GD.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent my first transfer on buying two cows which I will use for milk production to get an income from the sale of the milk when they reproduce and even sell its offspring to raise money for other family need such as school fees. I also bought building materials such iron sheets, timber, and nails which I used in replacing my old roof since I had covered part of the roof with grass since I did not have enough money to buy an iron roof for the house. I also boosted my hotel business by buying more stock and equipment for the business such as seats.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
This money will enable me to improve the eroding financial situation of my family and also actualize my life time dream. I am an experienced cook and for a long time,I have wished to set up my hotel business but this has been hindered by lack of sufficient resources to start it off. In order to make ends meet, I have been forced to settle for a casual job at a construction site since the pay is much better as compared to the pay I used to get while working in a hotel but it is not what I am passionate about doing. The job in itself is very hectic and I have really wished for a better chance to present itself so that I can get to leave it. With this money,I see my wish coming true in that, I will spend my money in setting up the hotel business and also purchasing two oxen and an ox plough that will help me in ploughing a larger portion of my land for better harvest thus securing my family's food situation.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening hours marks the happiest part of my day because it is the only time that I get to take a break from my hectic job to return home and rest. It is also the only time that I get to spend quality time with my children. I wake up very early by 6:00am to prepare my children to go to school then I head to the construction site where I have been employed as a casual worker. My job involves mixing building mortar and ferrying the mixture for the masons from one point to the other at the construction site using a wheelbarrow. It takes the whole day and when combined with the scorching sun, I find myself very tired by evening and I only wish to return to my home to get some rest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the biggest hardship that I face in life. My husband's income as a casually engaged nissan driver is not consistent and neither does it generate enough to sustain the family needs. This has forced me to take up a casual job in a construction site whereby I have been employed to mix building mortar for the masons. The job in itself is very strenuous and for the past three months that I have been doing it, I feel like it is affecting my health. Of late, I have been experiencing extreme chest and body pains yet I can not afford to leave the job for fear of my children lacking food and school fees thus I have to persevere for their sake.
