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 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I was previously employed by a neighbour to use his motorbike to provide taxi services in our town. The income I was getting was too little to cater for my household basic necessities. Currently my life is different because I bought my own motorcycle which I am getting a good income unlike before when I was employed. I also started a small business of supplying and selling charcoal which is also an additional source of income. I would not have achieved all these if at all GiveDirectly did not come to us.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We have been empowered financially to achieve our financial goals by GiveDirectly since we were facing hardships. They just did well from enrollment until receiving the transfers. I do not see anything that they do not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent KES 30000 of my second transfer to pay for a motorcycle that I had acquired on credit terms. I am paying for it's full cost in bits. I know once I complete paying for it, I will be getting a good income from it. I also took KES 10000 and started a business of supplying and selling charcoal in our town. At least I now have an additional source of income besides the motorcycle. I Spent the remaining amount to do some household shopping on foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($539 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
With financial support from GiveDirectly, I am currently in the process of constructing the house I have always desired for a long time. My joy is that I will no longer seek shelter elsewhere once the house is completed, which to me is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the transfer notification early in the morning, on checking to confirm the contents, I realized that it was from GiveDirectly informing me that I had finally received my transfer. I was happy for the financial support and thankful to God and to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent part of my first transfer to purchase building materials such as iron sheets and building poles to construct my house. Initially, I was hosted at my neighbour's and I never liked this situation which I wished I could change before but then my finances were meagre to achieve this dream. Looking, at my new house which is still under construction makes me feel that I am dreaming since I never expected this at this time. I also purchased three goats to keep in my homestead. These to me are my own assets which will help me in case of any financial challenge in future. I also paid a portion of the transfer to clear the outstanding fee balance for three children. I am glad that they will comfortable continue with their studies without any interruptions concerning school fees. The transfer also provided an opportunity to open a charcoal business. I am buying and selling charcoal in our nearby town which to me is a source of income. I spent the remaining amount on purchasing foodstuffs for my family and paying for other household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My long time aspiration has been to live a happy married life, a wish that every couple could have but this has never come to reality in my life. Ten years back when my In-laws passed away, my husband was forced to leave his paternity home with claims that his father never contributed in purchasing their communal land. Due to financial constraints, my husband could not secure a land for our stay, we were forced to migrate to my maternal home where we were accommodated. This has really robbed our joy as a family because it is a big shame to bring your man back home. Receiving this money means enabling us to purchase a land and build our own home. This will earn back our respect and dignity that we have lost. I also plan to use part of the transfers in livestock business in order to have a reliable source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I spend my morning hours collecting water from another village which is about ten kilometers away. When I am back, I prepare sisal fibers for selling and this makes me feel so exhausted in the afternoon. It is only in the evening when I find hope since my husband brings food for the family and this is my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
It has been ten years since I brought my husband to our maternal home, something that is not expected in the Giriama community. Since my husband's earnings are never enough to enable him purchase a land and also support other basic needs, my children's education has been affected negatively. My first born aged thirteen years was forced to drop in standard one while the other three who are now school aged have not been enrolled. Therefore, lack of stable source of income is my biggest hardship.
