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 ($492 USD)
access_time over 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 had I not received the transfer. This is because I am no longer stressed like before. This has been contributed by the fact that my children have enough food and are going to school without worrying of being sent back home. In addition to this, my business is now stable and doing well and due to this, I am now able to save some money daily after buying daily needs for my family. This has made me to always have peace of mind and my health has improved.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my own opinion, GiveDirectly does well by helping everyone in the village through giving out financial aid and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my transfer, I spent KES 20,000 from it to purchase a heifer. I decided on this so that it would relieve me the cost of buying milk when it reproduces. Also, I spent KES 10,000 to boost my grocery business. I settled on this as it was at the verge of collapsing yet it is my main source of livelihood. In addition to these, I used KES 20000 to pay school fees for my children so that they would not be sent back home. Using the remaining amount, I bought some food for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($500 USD)
access_time almost 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 1pm while taking lunch with my family when we heard shouts of joy from neighbors a confirmation that they had received the transfers. Immediately we left the food and went for my phone that was charging in a neighbor's house. Upon switching on the phone, I was very excited to see Mpesa SMS notification from GiveDirectly. We were overwhelmed with joy and even lost appetite for food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is building a semi permanent house that I had desired for the past three years but couldn't afford. As a hard-working single mom, I had purchased new grass for replacement of old grass roof but GiveDirectly came on time. Each passing year my house was growing tinier because my kids were growing older hence need for more space but now I am grateful. I am also happy because the transfers have enabled my family have adequate food and new school uniforms which I couldn't afford before. Initially, I used to do vegetables farming and selling in order to feed my family. Right now, I am stress free and motivated to work harder in order to feed my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 35000 on building a two roomed semi permanent house with 24 Iron sheets. This is because I had suffered alot in the old, tiny house with leaking grass thatched roof. This will accommodate more visitors and family because my teenage son's are now grown ups. I also spent KES 4000 on school uniforms and school fees for my sons in lower primary. I also spent KES 3000 on food and household items in order to sustain my family for a longer period because the maize that we just are now at the knee level. I have also saved some for school emergencies.
Enrolled
access_time almost 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow without any reliable source of income. As such, receiving this money means that I shall manage to build a better and larger house for my family. Currently, we are living in a small house with a grass-thatched roof that is leaking. Eventually, we shall be grateful to God and GiveDirectly for helping us since we will be living like other 'lucky' people.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is the evening when I am sharing a meal with my jovial children. As the sole breadwinner and the only parent to my children, my happiness emanate from their satisfaction.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I lost my husband to cancer in the year 2016. From then, life has become almost unbearable since I am the sole breadwinner for my family yet I have no reliable source of income. Besides, my children are still young, with the eldest one currently in grade nine and the youngest one is yet to begin pre-school classes. Hence, losing my husband at such an early time was the biggest blow to our family. Precisely, I feel hopeless and pessimistic at times since we are leading a relatively substandard lifestyle.