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 ($462 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I have a new goal to start up a retail shop. This was my initial plan but it did not materialize because of the rampant insecurity cases in the area I was to operate it. I, therefore, invested the money in poultry keeping. My dream of owning a retail shop is on, and I am planning to raise some money from the poultry once they mature to start up the project. I am currently working on identifying a more secure place for it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We owe the great transformation in our village to the transfers. Previously, most people engaged in charcoal burning as the main source of income but since nearly everyone was in it, the demand went down which led to low income. Giving people money directly without discrimination and allowing them to decide on how to spend it was the best idea. Most people are satisfied with the work the organization did. I do not have any complaints so far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My initial plan was to start up a retail shop but it did not work out because of insecurity cases, so I invested 50000 KES of the second transfer on a second-hand motorcycle. I had spent the first transfer on farming so as I currently pay attention to the farm activities, I have assigned someone to operate the motorcycle who pays me 350 KES at the end of the day. The additional 350 KES daily is a boost to my household. Besides, we no longer struggle to walk for long distances in search of water as was the case. The motorcycle operator brings us water in the morning hours then later continues with the motorcycle taxi services. The remaining 2800 KES I spent on some of the foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($484 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
That very day, I was seated in a local hotel in a nearby market taking tea when I saw the transfer message. I was overwhelmed with happiness, it's even hard to explain how I felt.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am happy that we nolonger sleep hungry like we used before and I have a business which I'm hopeful that it will become the biggest source of my income.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Toiling everyday to provide for provide for my family is not something that I had wished for. I have always wished to do something constructive such as starting a business but raising enough capital for that was the problem because I did not have a reliable income. Being enrolled in GiveDirectly was the biggest achievement for me because I am some steps forward towards achieving my goals. I have already started a poultry farming business where I spend Ksh 1000 to buy chicken, Ksh 3000 to buy chicken feeds. The business is slowly picking up and I'm hopeful that in a few months time I'll be able to supply chicken in the nearly markets. I also spent Ksh 4500 to buy mattress and I'm planning to spend the balance to pay school fees for my younger sibling, buy food and expand my business.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Depending on casual jobs has made me struggle a lot financially because they are very unreliable. Receiving this money will help give me an alternative source of income. My plan is starting a cereals business in Palakumi trading center. My projected budget is KES 30,000. This business will help me financially especially when there is drought.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The month of September saw me earn more from casual jobs. Someone within the village wanted building materials for the walls and the roof to his house. The job earned me money enough to buy food and the remaining helped me but 12 chicken. I recently had visitors and I cooked two for them. I now have nine and very soon they will multiply since they have chicks already. September was a good month. It gave me something to smile about.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My biggest challenge currently is food security. This region has been experiencing drought every now and then. Farming is what I use to depend on but without the rains, it has become difficult to get food from my farm. It's over one year now since I harvested food from my farm. I also owe a local financial group KES 15,000 which is giving me a headache. The money I get from the casual jobs I do all go into buying food leaving me with no money to settle the debt.
