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 ($528 USD)
access_time almost 5 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 because, through these transfers, I have been able to provide for my family adequately without much struggle. Putting food on the table was a real struggle, we could at times stay without food since I lacked the money to buy enough for the family. We never lacked anything good ever since receiving this transfer. Apart from this, I also managed to buy seven goats which I am currently keeping in my homestead. If I was to buy them at my own cost, for sure I couldn't have managed to acquire any of these. I am expecting them to reproduce and have many of them. I can sell the offspring as they multiply to help me in case of any financial problem.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has done well in improving our living standards. Before its coming, we never thought of owning livestock until receiving these transfers. Also, some of us could not access better shelter but now we have managed to build decent houses. We are also able to provide for our families the very basic needs without much struggle. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I had built my house without a kitchen. Thus when I received my second transfer, I spent a portion of it on buying 16 pieces of iron sheets, nails and building poles as my priority was to construct the kitchen. This will create enough space for my living house to accommodate my children. They will no longer be seeking shelter from the neighbourhood at night. In addition to this, I also paid KES 12000 for the mason for his job. I spent the remaining portion to cater to my household basic needs such as buying foodstuffs and clothes for my family. I also purchased household items that I did not have which include chairs, tables and utensils.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($542 USD)
access_time almost 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The transfer has enabled me to purchase the goats which I am currently keeping in my homestead. I intend to keep them so that as they reproduce and increase in number, I will be able to sell in future and raise money which can also help me educate my children. So far, owning these goats is the biggest difference in my daily life.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the transfer notification early in the morning. For sure I never expected that I would receive such a sum of money in my life. I was greatly overjoyed and I gave thanks to God and GD for financial support.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent KES 20400 to buy 7 goats. My area is very conducive for these animals to thrive. I am rearing them because these are the valuable assets that one can own and very helpful when faced by an emergency. I also spent KES 10900 to buy building poles and 15 pieces of iron sheets to construct a kitchen. My living house is not spacious to accommodate the other items. I also spent KES 7000 for medication and clearing my hospital after an illness. I am spending the remaining amount to cater to our daily foodstuffs and paying for some household expenses.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being a house wife means I depend solely on my husband for upkeep. He supports the family with around 3000 shillings a month. This amount is supposed to cater for food, medical, clothing and educational needs. It is quite impossible to meet all of them because food and education consume almost 75% of the amount. I have always desired to set up a business to supplement our family income. I this regard, I will use part of the transfer to start a chicken business in Bamba market. This project will save me the fulltime dependence on my spouse. Besides, I will start a goat rearing project that will help me during financial emergencies.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest of my day is in the morning. This is because I feel energized and my mind is free of stress. This is also the time I prepare my children for school and this excites me a lot .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The lack of enough funds is the biggest hardship that has negatively impacted my family. I cannot even afford to raise the 2200 shillings required for my children's education. As if this is not enough, getting food is also a problem. This is worse during dry seasons where we buy from the shops. Currently a bundle of maize of flour goes for 1500 shillings and it only sustain us for 12 days. This means the remaining days of the month becomes a struggle and my children go without food for up to 2 days.
