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
55000 KES ($483 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
After completing my initial goal, I developed an additional goal of buying four goats purposefully for paying my wife's dowry. Although I had been desiring to pay that dowry barely two years ago, I had been unable due to an inadequate source of income. I thank God that out of the GiveDirectly's transfers, this goal has equally been achieved in my life. I feel more at peace whenever I get some free time to take a rest in my house. My wife has also been feeling happier than she was before I paid her dowry price. Consequently, the love between my wife and me has grown stronger.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does so well in giving direct cash transfers to people with low sources of income. It sends transfers through Mpesa, an approach that promotes cash security among the recipients. Personally, I have not yet observed what GiveDirectly does not do right.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my most recent transfer to buy foodstuff for my family. I used a total of KES 15,000 to buy food since we did not have sufficient food for family as a result of crop failure due to prolonged drought. The foodstuff bought took us for two months hence I was able to build my savings from my little daily income. In addition, I spent KES 10,500 to buy a new mattress. The one I had previously was very old thus uncomfortable to sleep on. Lastly, I saved the rest of my transfer for my family's future use. I highly appreciate GiveDirectly for its support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($489 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt very happy when I got the money because I had gotten something to help me fix the things I needed to, and fulfil the plans I had been having all along. Being a mason, all I needed was the money to buy the materials and repair the house myself because it is all I wanted for so long.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is the fact that I was able to repair my house and make it attractive, as well as the livestock I was able to acquire. I am so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling my dream come true because repairing my house and owning livestock has been my dream.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of my transfer on repairing my house that had been in a very poor state and it used to draw attention and raise eyebrows since I am a mason, therefore, a mason who had no good house. That used to make me so sad and unhappy, therefore, I spent a total of KES35000 to buy materials for repairing and improving my house as I did not need to incur any labour charges. I am now a very proud and happy mason and owner of a better house that people are now admiring. I also spent KES20000 to buy one cow and a calf, and five goats because that too, is an investment, as well as a tribute to GiveDirectly since o will always see the assistance and help I received from you, in my livestock.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means an investment opportunity that will generate an income for me in the future. I am currently living with my wife in this household. I still do not have children. I am planning to use a total of 100,000 KES for the construction of a rental house at Midoina. The house will have 3 rooms. I will be renting the rooms to business people where I will be earning a total income of 9,000 KES per month. In the coming years, I will be having a bigger family. With this income , I will be able to meet the needs ( food, school fees, medical bills) of my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I got married in August last year (2020) . My wife is now 6 months pregnant. In the next three months, I will be called a father. This gives me so much pride.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity and water scarcity are the current challenges I am facing. I am a mason. I build semi permanent houses. The disadvantage that comes with this job is inconsistency. In a month, I can work on only a single house where I roughly earn 4,000 KES. This amount is not sufficient for us (my wife and I). I spend half of this amount on water. I have to pay 50 KES per 20 litres of water. The amount that remains is never enough to purchase food to last for a month.
