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 ($517 USD)
access_time over 4 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 from how it would have been had I not received the transfer because I now have a spacious house that can accommodate us comfortably. Also, my children have can now study without any interruptions and I no longer worry that they might develop eye problems because of studying in a house full of smoke.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did well by giving us a financial aid and I do not see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
When I received my second transfer, l spent a good amount from it to expand my dairy project. I settled on buying a dairy cow so that my family will get enough milk for consumption and sale. Also, I spent some amount to complete building a house for my family. I spent the remaining amount to buy three sacks of maize to last us for some time.
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 biggest difference in my daily life is that I have been able to build a decent and spacious house for my family using my transfer. This had always been a dream that I had not been able to achieve. I would always use the money I earn after doing some casual work around the village to cater for my family needs. Even though I have not started living in this house, I am glad since we will soon be living comfortably and enjoying our privacy all the time. Also, my children will be having a place to study in and do their assignments in the evening after school.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was still early in the morning as I was going on with my daily routine when one of my neighbors informed me that GiveDirectly had sent him the promised money. This prompted me to also check my Mpesa balance to see if I was among the lucky people. My heart was filled with happiness the moment I finished reading the Mpesa message on my phone. I knew that I would be able to achieve so many things using this money.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
When I received my first transfer, I spent a large amount from it to buy some building materials to use in building a decent and spacious house for my family. I bought some iron sheets, timber, nails and also paid the full cost of this work. I settled on this since the one we were living in was old and its roof was leaking from one side. My family was always forced to squeeze themselves in one corner during the rainy season and our beddings would at times get soaked with the rainwater whenever it rained heavily. I spent the remaining amount on buying some basic needs for my family. I bought some decent clothes and shoes, one sack of maize flour and other household necessities.
Enrolled
access_time 5 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I live in a small grass thatched house with my four children.This house is too small and I feel that I need to build another house(one bedroom).This will help my children a lot when studying.The environment is good since they will avoid smoke from the kitchen and noise from the younger children.The house will cost me approximately Ksh 25,000(250 usd).I will also buy a dairy cow(250 usd).I depend on my elder brother to give me milk for consumption.I want to be independent as soon as I get the money from GiveDirectly.A cow is a longterm investment too since by selling the offsprings I will be able to pay school fees in the near future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
As a casual labourer a good day is evident in the morning when you know you have work to do.This means that at the end of the day you will not go home empty handed.I therefore enjoy the morning hours as I head to work because at the end of the day my family will be happy when I come back in the evening.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a casual labourer and I have tried all forms of casual work.I have been a herds man,worked in a tea plantation and even in people's farms but I haven't been quite successful.This is because casual labour earns very little money which does not match the needs of my family.I have four children and the money I get from casual labour(2usd) is only enough to buy food for the day.One is also not guaranteed to get work to do as a casual labourer.Most of them are seasonal because they are agricultural related jobs.
