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 ($435 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Since I Separated from my husband and returned to my parents' home, am not free to stay here together with my children. Therefore, I aim to build a home on the piece of land that I bought using GiveDirectly's transfers. If all goes well, I would like to be at my own home before the fourth quarter of the next year 2023.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly performed a great job, in my opinion, by letting us decide how to use the funds. I was able to purchase a plot of land on which I hope to build a house for my two kids and me. Being able to own a property is something I consider to be a major accomplishment. I'm overjoyed, and if I check GiveDirectly's functioning, I don't detect any issues.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon getting the second transfer, I prioritized settling a debt that I had not yet completed for a one-acre piece of land that I bought using the first transfer. Therefore, I took $300 to settle the debt and I am now free with the land since I fully own it. I am happy because getting a piece of land has been my desire for a long time. This urge of getting my place came after I separated from my husband and I have been staying at my parents' home. Thereafter, I paid $57 school fees for my two primary school children. I also bought them school uniforms for $10. Since the joy of a parent is to see their children happy, I opted to buy two goats for $50 and gifted them a goat each. For the remaining amount, I bought some foodstuff and saved it for emergencies.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($471 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can still remember vividly it was exactly 9 in the morning when I was from the dam and I was planning the activities for the day, suddenly a message notification popped in. Without wasting time, I decided to check who it could be. I was shocked and surprised after realizing that it was a message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first cash transfer. I felt so happy and informed all my family members about the celebrations. It was indeed a joyous moment in our life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that the cash transfers have empowered me to own a piece of land. As a single parent of two children, it has never been at all. A few years back I had a misunderstanding with my spouse and I was forced to return to my maternal home. The house was not spacious enough and I felt there was a need for me to have my own home. Some of the challenges that I was encountering was that there was no privacy at all and this has been stressing for a while. Secondly, my children never had the freedom and as a parent, I felt that I had failed them. I am now glad that I have a long-term investment that I will not call home but also my children will have a place to build their homes in the future. Having achieved this goal has for sure brought a positive impact on my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my first transfer on buying a piece of land (1 acre) at KES 30000. I have been yearning to own it for years but I could not afford it because it was too costly. I am now a happy mother knowing that I will now be in a good position to build my a house in my compound since I am currently at my maternal home. Also, I paid fees of KES 3000 for my two children who are still in primary schools and bought new uniforms which cost KES 2000. They were always at home as a result of the arrears. In addition, I bought two goats KES 5000 which will now be the long-term investment that I will always rely on. With the remaining amount of money, I bought food for my three family members and settled all the pending bills.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a mother of two children. I separated with my husband four years ago. Since then life has not been easy to me. Providing for the family necessities has been a challenge for me since I depend on casual work which gives me KES 300 per day. My children are growing up and they face the challenge of abuse from their cousins since they are told that they do not belong to the family. They are foreigners. This is a stress to me. Upon receiving the money, I will buy two acres of land at a cost of KES 80000. I also use KES 30000 to built a house for my family. This will relieve my children of the abuse from their cousins.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In January 2022, I got an opportunity to provide food for workers every day at Palakumi center. Their was construction going on and the workers used to take their lunch from me. I earned approximately KES 20000 that month. The job opportunity brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I depend on casual work and the income is very low. Providing food, clothes and other necessities for my family is a challenge. They have also been missing school because of school fees problem. Lack of permanent job is the challenge I am facing.
