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 ($468 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After receiving my first and second transfers, I am happy that I accomplished all my written goals. Currently, I do have a plan of investing in livestock. This is through buying young calves and selling when grown so that I can easily settle my family bills without a struggle.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly does well by giving cash transfers directly to every household hence this enabled everyone to choose what to spend on. Currently, the entire village households have improved on their way of living. However, I felt like some needy households were left out. I would suggest that in the future Give directly should enroll people equally.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After accomplishing all the plans that I had for my first transfer, the second transfer came in to enhance other plans. With Kshs.43,500, I opted to invest in two heifers which will calf in a few months ahead. This will enable us to have surplus milk production hence we can sell to generate income since my husband does not have a stable income to settle all family bills. In addition, we can also sell one of the heifers to cater for future emergencies. With the remaining amount, I used to pay school fees for the whole term for my child in secondary school. I am so grateful for the support Give directly gave us which has hugely impacted our living standards.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($496 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was on my farm weeding our maize plantation when I heard my neighbors shouting happily that GiveDirectly had sent the promised money. I decided to check my Mpesa account balance since I had not seen any Mpesa message and my heart was filled with happiness upon confirming that the money was indeed in my account. Being KES 55000 richer made me so happy and all my worries were replaced with hope and joy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Financial constraints have been a challenge to my family and it is always difficult living knowing that you owe someone. This had always made me hesitate in picking any incoming calls thinking that it was my creditors who wanted to ask for their money and also paying school fees for my children on time was a problem. I am happy that I was able to use my transfer to repay all the debt that I had and to pay school fees for my children and I am happy that they will not be sent back home this year. Being able to achieve this within a short time makes my daily life different.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have two children in secondary school and paying their school fees on time had been a challenge to us due to the unstable sources of income. My spouse is a mason and getting this work is hard nowadays due to the outbreak of covid-19 which has affected the lives of so many people. The transfer came as a relief to me since on receiving them, I spent KES 33000 to pay for my children's school fees so that I could have a peaceful mind and concentrate on other things. In addition, I spent KES 15000 to repay a debt that I had and used the remaining KES 6000 on food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband do construction works. At the same time , we had initiated a project in the nearby center of constructing some rental units. we have been financing it bit by bit ,whenever we get some amount we carry on with the project. When the money is not available we pause until another source is available. The construction started on 2018 . It has reached a roofing stage and this assistance from Give direct will give me a major boost to finish up the project. Once I finish up on the project and all rooms are occupied it will give us a sustainable income for my family. The project still requires USD 2000. We will invest all the money in the aforementioned project.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Iam a house wife . Normally , I engage myself in subsistence farming and doing household chores almost on a daily basis . Iam also a community health volunteer who get engaged when need arises like distributing mosquito nets. My happiest part of the day is in the morning , it so because the day is still fresh and as such I have not been affected by the challenges and the stress of the day .
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a number of students in various schools.Raising school fees has been one of hardest challenge . Nearly three quarter of the money I get from the economic activities I engaged myself in goes towards paying school fees. Mark you we have other commitments to take care of .It makes us inadequate and a real struggle for me and my family.
