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 ($485 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?
My life is different than how it would have been if I never received the transfers in that I have bought a solar panels. My children were using torch to do their homework and assignments. This was so challenging because whenever I had no money to buy torch battery they could not do the assignment. I depend on small scale farming and and the harvest that I get annually is is only for consumption. I didn't had any savings to buy the solar system. Cooking during the night was a challenge because I had only one torch and at the same time my children wanted to used it. Currently I have a solar panels. There is lighting everything in the house. I do my chores peacefully and my children do there homework without any disturbance. I have the security light outside which I didn't had before. I am so happy because I no longer buy torch Battery with was so costly. I am abe to save some money to pay school fees for my children. GiveDirectly has changed our living standard.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion GiveDirectly does well by giving money to the poor in the community to build better houses and to buy dairy cows. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 10,000 of the second transfer on purchasing three goats. This is the best investment that I have always wished to start. I also bought bedding, clothes, sky blast for storing water for drinking. Paid school fees of KES 4,000 for my child in primary school and the rest of the money I bought solar panels for lighting up the house. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($510 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at my home busy preparing vegetables for my family. It was around 9 am when I had a message notification from my phone, after checking I realized it was my transfer which GiveDirectly had promised. I felt very happy after receiving my transfer because I thought it was an untruth.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Living in a decent, specious iron roofed house with my family is the biggest difference in my life. I had always wished to own a good house but due to the poverty condition I was not able to construct one. Previously, I was spending sleepless nights due to my leaking roof.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spend $360 of my transfer to improve the condition of my house by purchasing 20 iron sheets, building poles, timber and paying labor charges. This is because my house had a leaking roof and I wanted to replace with an iron roofed one. In addition, I bought a solar system for $ 100, since I was using a paraffin lamp which requires paraffin every day which was costly. Furthermore, I purchased 2 goats this is because I had wished to own some livestock but I lack of enough financial resources to acquire them. The remaining amount assisted me to educate my child who is still in primary school.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire has been to own a spacious iron-roofed house but this has never been possible to me. This has forced me to live in a grass-thatched house that is leaking whenever it is raining. I plan to spend $350 of the first transfer to construct the house and about $150 will help me to buy a sewing machine in order to start my dressmaking business. On the other hand, I intend to start livestock keeping that will act as my long-term investment project because as of now, I don't have anything to depend on. I, therefore, wish to start with 5 goats and 2 indigenous dairy cows which will cost me $150 and $300 respectively. This will have a positive change on my livelihood and hence, a better life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The afternoon is the happiest part of my day because, at this time, I usually have completed many household chores including cooking. The resting re-energizes me most and this brings the feeling of happiness.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Despite having skills in dressmaking, I have never managed to buy a sewing machine that can help me to have a reliable business. This has forced me to engage in charcoal, a job that is very tiresome and low-paying. Therefore, financial instability has been the biggest hardship that I have ever faced in my life.
