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 ($493 USD)
access_time almost 3 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 was in a position to pay my college fees. I am pursuing a diploma course in education. GiveDirectly came at the right time when I wanted to enrol We depend on casual jobs in the village and sometimes to get this jobs is so hard. We rarely save some money because we have many needs. When I received the second transfer we talked with my spouse and agreed on paying the school fees. I felt so happy because this was always my wish to still improve my career. GiveDirectly has changed our living standard, it has given me hope to still strive forward and achieve the goals and objectives of my life. I am so happy for the support.
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. I do not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on purchasing a dairy cow. This has enabled me to cut the daily cost of buying milk. I also paid my college fees, I am currently doing a diploma course. The rest of the money I bought food and clothes for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($494 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the transfers around seven in the morning while cooking tea. I was overwhelmed with joy and was very grateful to God because my dreams of owning a dairy cow were coming true.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a dairy cow which is currently a few months pregnant.I had desired to own my cow for the past three years. In order to to realize my dream, I had bought a goat four years ago which I kept it with a vision of selling once they multiplied for a dairy cow.I am glad because in a few months time, I will be having my own milk which can be sold to cater for household expenditure. We rely on casual labor, which is seasonal and can only get up to KES200 per day. I have also bought Ironsheets in order to built a better and spacious house. I have also bought blankets for my kids because we used to share one tiny one. I am also happy because my kids are well fed and well dressed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 30,000 of my transfer on a heifer which is almost giving birth. This is because I intend to use it as an income source hence will aid in school fees payment. I spent KES 13,000 on twenty Iron sheets for building a new semi permanent house. This is because the one I had was very tiny and was forced to quench fire each night in order to sleep with my kids by the fire place. I also spent KES 5000 of my transfers on clothes for my family. I also spent KES 4000 on maize meal in order to sustain my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money mean I will be able to build a new house. My ambition has always been to build a spacious house since the one we have is small and cannot accommodate a family of 5. In case we are lucky to get the transfer, our intention is to use 300 USD to build a decent house and the remaining cash we will use to improve the house.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My day starts with household chores which include fetching firewood and water. When I am done with that, I proceed to work in our 1 acre piece of land for the rest of the day where we have have grown maize and beans. Since the job involves a lot of energy, it leaves me tired and exhausted. Going home to rest as I prepare for the next day's activity, makes my evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship we have faced in life is lack of money to build a decent and spacious house. Currently we are living in a small grass thatched house and when we receive visitors, the house is hardly enough to accommodate even two more people forcing us to seek accommodation elsewhere. This has lowered our self esteem as a family.
