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
53075 KES ($529 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?
The biggest difference in my life is that l am now staying in a spacious nice comfortable house where I am never worried about rainnny seasons compared to before when I used to be worried more so when it used to rain when I was not at home. I have earn a name in the village, I am now able to interact, socialize and share with my agemates something that I was just longing for. I also now have at least something to sit as compared to before when I was staying in a water container which was so embarrassing and uncomfortable.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion Give directly does not involve third party in their program, they deal with people directly. I also feel it was a very good thing to use M-pesa as away of sending money to us because it is very convenient and safer way send cash. Their stuffs were also transparent in everything they were doing, there were no any signs of corruption. I did not see what Give directly did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent most of the transfer to add more building materials and built a spacious iron roofed house in my own compound. I was staying in small and leaking house where I was not comfortable because any time it was raining I could be rained on, the house also was too small that I had to put things in one corner or pile in one place. I am now very happy because I was worried that the house could fall down on me even at when I am a sleep and I could not have a good sleep. I was so embarrassed but there was nothing I could because I could not afford to buy new iron sheets and another house. I am now staying in a spacious comfortable house where I am not worried when it is raining and I am very confident when I have visitors because I know it will accommodate all of them. I also spent the transfer to buy plastic chairs atleast to have something that I can sit since I did not have anything to sit on , I was sitting on a water container which was very uncomfortable and embarrassing when you have visitors. The remaining I spent to buy decent clothes and food stuffs, I am now putting on well like other people.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($546 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 these transfers have enabled me to have adequate food, and start construction of a new house.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment I received the money I was very happy because I had never received such an amount before.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 25 000 on buying construction materials such as iron-sheets,nails and trees, the rest I will spent on hiring labor for hire.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means that I can buy timber, iron roofing sheets, nails,cement and sand which I will use to build a safer house.
My current house is dilapidated and it may soon collapse rendering me homeless.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening after finishing any casual jobs and getting paid. I often pass by the market to buy some food which I prepare for supper. This usually makes me very happy because I know I won't sleep hungry.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I currently face is lack of enough money to buy sufficient food for myself. I am just a casual worker and I don't get many jobs , this means that I often have to survive on one meal a day or at times stay hungry day and night. I am afraid that one day I might die of hunger.
