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 ($430 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
So far I am indebted to GiveDirectly for the much we have achieved as a family, though my heart's desires to build a permanent house for my family. To achieve this goal, I plan on saving at least $10 per week. It takes a longer time, but I am optimistic that I would accomplish it.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support from GiveDirectly has boosted the lives of my village mates. I lack words to express the immense joy and happiness that is in my heart. In my opinion, the organization does a wonderful job of empowering both the young and old without discriminating against anyone. They took time in visiting everyone's house and saw the living condition of all the houses by themselves without depending on the grapevine information.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving money from GiveDirectly was a blessing from above. This was a perfect opportunity for me to ensure that I spend the money wisely. Therefore, I thought of my four young children and their school fees needs. I aspire to see them excel in education, and this was the right time to save money. I am a tailor and my husband runs a small business. I spent my entire second transfer of $530 on purchasing a cow and a calf to secure the money. This was not easy before, due to other financial obligations. We are forever grateful for the support that lifted our living standards and thus gave us financial freedom.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($477 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was at 6.50a.m and had just woken up to cook breakfast for my family. I heard my phone ring and when checked, it was a confirmation message from Givedirectly. I was happy and shared the good news with my family and we all celebrated as we took our breakfast.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is accomplishing all the plans that I had for my first transfer. I am waiting for the second transfer so that I can do more.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With the long to-do list that I had made after we had our barraza, the day to implement was finally here. First, I had to spend KES 5,000 to clear school fees arrears for my son in secondary school. I couldn't pay before because I am a tailor and when Covid kicked in my business went down. I also spent KES 20,000 in paying a land I had bought but had not finished payment. I am happy that I am now rightful the owner of the land. With KES 5,000 I also used to buy clothes for my family members. I spent KES 5,000 on buying general foodstuff for my family which will sustain us for a couple of months. I also saved KES 25,000 as I wait for my second transfer so that I can add towards the purchase of a dairy cow which will be an addition to my livestock. This means more milk supply for consumption in the future.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a professional tailor and I make women's dresses here at home and sell them every Monday in the nearby market. It is a business I have done for the last two years and it earns me on average KES. 2,500 per week. My husband also is employed as a butcher in town and he earns a salary of KES. 6,000 monthly. The money we earn at the moment is still enough to sustain our basic needs as a family. I am projecting that when our children start Junior High School next year, we might run short of money and struggle to meet our needs. My thinking therefore to avoid this happening is to scale up my tailoring business. I normally sit at the comfort of my home and make dresses but I know for sure that if I could move to town and get a business license , I would be able to to triple my profits from the current KES. 10,000 monthly to approx KES. 30,0000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
At the beginning of the year 2021, I set a goal to buy a water tank before the month of December and I started saving for it immediately. Buy November last year I had managed to save KES. 20,000 which enabled me to purchase this water tank you are seeing here today. This gave me a lot of happiness because I used to have a lot of challenges with water for domestic use.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
We have shortage of money at the moment and we are strained financially. This is because since the COVID-19 pandemic happened and children went back to school after the long lock down period, the school terms were shortened by the government to allow for recovery of the lost time. This has made school fee payment to be so frequent and since I pay KES. 24,000 every term for all the 3 children it is like am supposed to pay KES. 12,000 monthly which is straining our finances.
