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 ($518 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?
The transfer has enabled me to repair and service my motorcycle that had been lying unused due to mechanical problems. I am now getting an income from it since its now working well. I also built a new house for my children. They were seeking shelter from neighbours at night. I am happy that they have their own house. I n addition to this, is also built an extension of a single room to my house since it wasn't spacious.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well in choosing and enrolling the needy households. Our children are comfortable in school having paid for them, we also have access to a good shelter and also having livestock which are a saving for future financial needs. We couldn't achieve these before GiveDirectly came to us. I don't see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer on repairing my motorcycle. It had broken down and I couldn't repair it on time. It has proved to be good source of income to me thus on receiving my second transfer,I paid for the cost of repair and its now working well and getting an income from it. I also spent the transfer to build an extension of a single room since my house was not spacious. I purchased building materials such as blocks, sand, iron sheets to facilitate this. I also built a house for my children. They no longer have to seek shelter from the neighbours at night.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($528 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a second-hand motorcycle at KES 35000. I believe it will help me in fetching water from the dam which is very far from my home. Previously I used to carry heavy jerrycans which were very tiresome. I had even started having back pains as a result of this. I am happy I will not have to carry water anymore. Apart from that, I will also be earning income from this business. It will be used in transporting goods and a means of transport to people in our village. In addition to that, I also bought five goats at KES 12500. I am planning to sell the offsprings when they mature and buy a pair of oxen in the near future. I decided to expand my business of selling some vegetables with the remaining amount of money.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 10 pm, I was with my family taking our evening meals when I heard my phone vibrating. When I checked what the notification was all about, I realized it was an Mpesa message from Give Directly. They had sent the first transfer. I was so excited, I remember leaving food and dancing while screaming with joy. I have never been that happy before. They removed all the doubts I had about them. I just wish they will come back to our village. We love them and we will welcome them again.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
Having goats is the biggest achievement I have ever had in my life. This makes me happy and hopeful every day. I had been longing to rear them for so long since I knew their benefits. I knew my life would change within a very short period of time. I would be wealthier and more stable financially. I am planning to do many projects through the sales I will get from the offsprings of these goats. One of the projects is to buy a pair of oxen. The oxen will be of great help to my farming activities and this will uplift my life in general since I will be harvesting more than what I used to get previously.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Education for my children is my number one priority in life. With my GD transfers, I plan to pay part of college fees for my son who desires to acquire welding skills and fees for my daughter who is almost completing her primary school education. With the rest, I will expand my catering business by renting a space in Bandari shopping center, buy cooking equipment and non perishable foodstuffs. This will enable me boost my income so that I can sustain my children in school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Morning is the happiest part of my day because am busy with my catering business where I make lunch for a few casual labourers at a construction site in Bandari shopping center. This is unlike afternoons where am mostly idle after delivering the lunch ordered. However, am grateful for Give Directly because once I get my transfers, I will be able to expand my business and keep myself busy throughout the day thus making more income for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With the passing on of my co-wife few years ago, I was left with the responsibility of taking care of her 2 children and 3 of my own. With only two sources of income now, I and my husband's, we have had to struggle even more to meet our family's needs of food and education because the incomes are very little and unreliable. The situation is so bad such that I have been unable to take my son to secondary school after completing his primary education last year. He now operates a motorcycle taxi so that he can raise enough money to sponsor himself to college where he plans to acquire welding skills.
