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 ($461 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a widow and a mother of five children. When my husband passed on, I had no choice but to assume all the responsibilities single handedly. Things have not been easy since it has been a struggle day in and day out. Upon receiving my transfer, I opted to build a decent house for my family where I used all of my second transfer. This is because my previous house was old and small yet I was financially unstable to construct a new one before. I am so happy that my living standard has been lifted amazingly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly impacted our living standards amazingly. Both the young and the old benefited equally from the project which was so encouraging. So far I never experienced any inefficiencies in the project.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My newest goal at the moment is for me to be able to expand and boost my business. This is because I am a widow and the sole breadwinner of my family. I am optimistic that with an extra income I will be able to educate my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the long to do list, my first priority was to cement my hotel business premises. It had been very dusty and had posted health hazard issues. With Kshs 20,000,I bought all the plastering materials and also inclusive of labour.Am happy that now my customers enjoy a conducive environment as they enjoy their meals.I spent Ksh. 20,000 to also construct a single roomed house for my son who use to spent his night in neighborhood. My son is now happy that he can sleep soundly and also has a nice place to study during the night without moving around from the neighbourhood. I also spent Ksh. 10,000 on clearing school fees arrears for my son. Am now thankful that he is catching up with all he lost during his absence from school. With the remaining amount I used in buying food for my entire family members.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the new look my hotel business poses.I am happy that my dream had come through since I had been working on improving but there were no lumpsum of money.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was about 11p.m and was preparing to retire to bed when I heard my phone vibrate. When I checked, I couldn't believe. It was a message from Givedirectly bearing the goods news of the promised cash transfer. I was so overjoyed and even lost sleep.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge I'm facing is insufficient income to pay school fees for my children. All my children are in school, 3 in secondary and 2 in primary school. I struggle in paying for their school fees because my business hasn't picked up. I only get a profit of around KES 400 per day which is insufficient for school fees and food.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Before this year I had tried my luck in selling clothes from one market to another on market days, but that business didn't not bring in enough income. 6 months ago I decided to use all my savings in opening a small food joint where I sell cooked meals such as beans, breakfast and even rice. I have been able to have a stable income even though I only get profit of KES 400 per day, I'm able to provide see basic needs such as clothing and education to my family.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I'm a widow and the sole provider for my family of 5. I own a small eating joint and use the income from it to provide for my family. I have saved up some cash and bought building materials but I haven't been able to build my family a bigger house yet. My current house is a one bedroom and a grass hut. My boys sleep in the kitchen and I sleep with the girls in the main house. I plan on using KES 30,000 if my first transfer to expand the house so that my children can have their own rooms to sleep in. Secondly I will pay school fees for my children for the next school term.
