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 ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
"The happiness after receiving a message from GiveDirectly that confirmed the receipt of the first transfer was unmeasurable. I knew my dreams were about to come true. I had always dreamt of starting a business registered under my name. I have always seen myself running a very big store selling cosmetics. However, I was limited by enough capital for investment. I am grateful for GiveDirectly since I was able to open a mpesa shop using KES 20,000. Later after receiving my second transfer I was able to add more stock of Cosmetics worth KES 40,000."
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
"I would gladly say that GiveDirectly is doing a very recommendable job. The fact that GiveDirectly has field officers who walk into the villages in person, accessed our current status of living is a plus for me. GiveDirectly has able to recognized the gaps we missed socially and abled to fixed the gaps by providing unconditional cash transfers. GiveDirectly has been helping the low income in the society which has been a good merit. There process has been very transparent and honest. However, I had never understood the criteria they use to select households or individual to be enrolled into the program. The pain of seeing my uncle being left out was uncontrollable. I have been staying with my uncle since I was young. He raised me to adulthood. He was among those who never received any transfer from GiveDirectly after being enrolled. Perhaps GiveDirectly would come up with a clear approach that we are able to understand. Generally I would say GiveDirectly is doing quite well."
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
"I was in my shop when I received my recent transfer. It was around evening hours when I received a Mpesa message indicating that I had received KES 53,150. My heart glimpsed with joy since I knew that the time to increase my business stock had neared. I bought more stock of Cosmetics worth KES 40,000. I was also able to pay my six month rent in advance worth KES 12,000. The remaining around KES 1,000 I used it to buy myself some clothes."
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($487 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was working on the farm when at 9 a.m, I received a message notification. I checked it and was so surprised to see that I had received KES 55,000. I was so happy to receive such a huge amount of money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Ever since I received this cash transfer, my life has had more joy and peace of mind. Before, it had a lot of frustration due to financial instability. I had completed my college course, but could not obtain my certificate due to the accumulation of school fees arrears. This made it so difficult to find employment. But this cash transfer has changed that. I have settled all my debts and gotten my certificate. I also started my business as an MPESA agent and have a consistent source of income. I'm so thankful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I completed my college coursework in 2016. But due to a lack of money that resulted in the accumulation of fees arrears, the college withheld my certificate. So I was excited to receive this transfer because it enabled me to settle the arrears which amounted to KES 15,000. I also bought a bed worth KES 3,500 to replace a broken one. I also spent KES 20,000 on setting up a business as an MPESA agent, so that I could have a consistent source of income.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have longed to rejoin college to continue with my studies. Unfortunately, I have never managed due to lack of fees since I have no parents, job, or source of income. Hence, receiving this money means I shall afford to go back to college and continue with my studies. A local church has been offering me some financial aid since I lost our single parent, mother, while I was in grade 9. Overall, proceeding with my studies means a bright future for me and my family because u shall acquire invaluable skills and knowledge that are needed when searching for a job.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The connection to the power grid that I attained about five months ago has attracted lots of happiness to me. I usually get an income of about KES 40 daily by charging phones for my neighbors who are not connected to the grid. This has helped me a lot because I have no other source of income. Also, the continued presence of young children in my homestead draws lots of happiness to me. It makes me feel less lonely. This is because I am the only occupant of my house. I lost my mother and my siblings are staying away from my home.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Hunger is the biggest challenge I am facing since exhausting my food stock over a month ago. About three months ago, eavy rains destroyed the beans that I had planted in a piece of land that my grandfather gave me. The second challenge is the persistent lack of funds. As such, I have never managed to raise funds for clearing fee arrears so as to collect my first college certificate. I could have secured some employment but employers would dismiss me whenever I fail to avail the certificate.
