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 ($502 USD)
access_time over 4 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 currently different in that I have been able to build a decent house to live in. Had it not been the financial support from GiveDirectly, I would still be living in my old hut since I lacked the money to facilitate this. I am peacefully enjoying a good shelter unlike before when I was living in my hut. I have also been able to clear school fees for my children. They are now comfortably in school going on with their studies.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The coming of GiveDirectly has totally changed our lives because we have been able to achieve the many things that to us, fulfilling them on our own was a challenge due to the financial hardships we were facing. We have been able to build decent houses and taking our children to schools. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my second transfer on buying building materials which include pieces of iron sheets, nails, timber and buidling poles in order to construct a new house. I was previously living in a grass-thatched hut. I am happy that I will be having a good house to live with my family. I spent the remaining amount to buy some basic needs for my family such as foodstuffs and paying for other household expenses.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
Owning a spacious and semi-permanent house is the biggest difference in my daily life. I have been yearning to build a better and more spacious house but due to my financial status, I could not afford it. I have been sleeping under a small hut which was so uncomfortable and hectic especially during the rainy seasons. My children have been sleeping at their grandfather's house and they were always complaining. Life became so tough, the money I was getting from the casual job was not enough. I never dreamt of having my own house even a single day. But the coming of GiveDirectly has brought up happiness in my marriage.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am when I heard my phone vibrating continuously. I was a bit curious and decided to check who it could be. Upon checking, I realized it was an mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was over excited and I knew I would achieve a lot.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on buying some building materials such as building poles, some pieces of iron sheets, timber and some nails. This was purposely for the construction of a new house. My previous house was very small it could not accommodate us all. I later cleared school fees for my children since they have been staying home for weeks because of the huge school fees balances. Some had even dropped out of school. The remaining amount of money I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and we are now taking three meals a day, like the rest. Previously we used to take a single meal or go without.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will enable me to provide a decent shelter for my family. I plan to invest kshs. 50,000 to construct a two roomed iron roofed house. Initially I had a very spacious house and it could fit my family of eight very comfortably. However, when this year started, my house collapsed and I was only able to construct a single room that is too small for all of us due to lack of finances. The consequence of this is that my children are forced to seek shelter in relatives houses when night falls. It really pains me when they are turned away and they are left hanging confused with no where to sleep. With the pending balance, we will invest in charcoal business in Mombasa town which my husband will be in charge of.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I feel very happy in the morning when I wake up because when going to bed, no one is ever assured of automatically waking up the next day. It is also in the morning when I feel energetic enough to plough my farm or on other days go to the fields to tend to my charcoal trade and on many occasions even tend to my household chores.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraint is the biggest hardship that my family is facing. My husband who is the only bread winner is asthmatic. During cold seasons like now, he is never in good health to tend to his business of vending water due to the powerful medications that he is taking. This has even forced my son who just finished primary school last year to migrate to Mombasa to take care of him and also continue his fathers business of vending water in order to get even just ksh.100 to take care of his siblings back home when the father is still ailing.
