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 ($526 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 different compared to when I had not received transfers from Give Directly. I never thought I could afford to buy land any time soon. I really needed it but the goal could not have been achieved soon enough. Because of this organization, I managed to deposit a total of 105000 KES in a deal to buy a piece of land where I plan to operate my business. Right now I have a sense of hope because I have managed to pay part of the money and soon I won't be paying rent anymore in order to operate my garage.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, the idea of giving people unconditional transfers is a good plan. We have the freedom to buy whatever we want and invest however we wish. But what Give Directly should consider next time is to include those living in the town centers but belong to this same village. I feel it unfair for them to be left out yet it was not their liking to be living in the center. Circumstances force them
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent a large portion of my second transfer to pay a deposit for land which I am planning to purchase. Once I acquire this land, I will put up a business premise. I have been operating a garage in my current station for three years paying 4000 KES for rent every month. I felt that by coming up with my own garage, I would be able to comfortably pay my children school fees and meet most of the household need. This idea have been on my mind for a long time but lack of money had limited my dream. I thank GiveDirectly for making my dream come true. Although I have remained with a balance of 45 000 Kes in order to own it fully, I feel encouraged and I am working very hard to complete the remaining balance. Very soon I will be relieved from paying rent. I spent the remaining amount to buy a goat. This is like my back up plan. They will reproduce which means I will be able to sell milk and sell their young ones to supplement what I will be earning already.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($550 USD)
access_time 5 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
My daily life is different in that I now own a plot. This has been my aspiration. I had no hopes of buying one due to inadequate resources. I am now happy that soon I will be able to build a structure for my welding business and I will not be paying rent again.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had just woken up and I reached to my phone which I had left charging overnight. I saw the Mpesa message and the notifying message from Give Directly and I was very happy. I was expecting the transfers from Give Directly and it was a good moment to know that they had finally arrived. I informed my wife about it and she could not hide the joy but to bow down for a word of prayer thanking God for it
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I spent all the first transfer on securing a plot in Bamba Center, I am planning to build a structure for my welding business. I had been renting a house for it.This has really drained all my income from the business. Through this, I will be able to save the money I would have been using on rent. Thanks to Give Directly for coming through to help us.
Enrolled
access_time over 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I pay rent of 4000 shillings per month for my welding shop in Bamba. This is apart from electricity bill which amounts to 3000 shillings a month. I find this to be a lot of money that caters for liabilities thus reducing my income. My desire is to have my own premises that will cut down the cost of rent. I will therefore pool my savings and add to this transfer in order to purchase a piece of land and build a rental house in Bamba. This will be a house of 12 habitable rooms plus 3 shop premises. I will then relocate my business and rent the rest of the house. This will mean earning more income that will enable me to save more and meet my family needs without difficulty.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the evening when I am done with my daily activities I get enough time to rest. This is also the time when I get to know how much I have earned for the day. It excites me a lot knowing that I will be able to pay my workers and get food for my children. In this regard, I consider evening as the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship that I faced in life was lack of stable source of income. This was as a result of not having a stable job due to low level of education. My life has been a hustle and I engaged in all sorts of casual jobs such as selling water using a handcart, fish mongering, selling scrapes and burning charcoal. I struggled all along until I started a welding shop that has changed my life a bit.
